Spatial Orientation Of People With Visual Impairment

Abstract

Spatial orientation and independent mobility comprise one of the area's most markedly affected by the loss or impairment of visual perception. Independent mobility and the interrelated spatial orientation are a prerequisites for increasing the self-sufficiency of an individual with visual impairment, usually also becoming a significant measure of their self-evaluation. In addition, spatial orientation tends to be perceived as the main indicator of independence and success of a person with visual impairment from the perspective of the majority of society as well as the person with visual impairment him/herself. Our research was based on the question of how the area of spatial orientation and independent mobility is perceived by three groups of participants: persons with visual impairment, professionals working with them, and the lay public. Its purpose was to explore and describe selected aspects of orientation and mobility from the perspective of the actors themselvesi.e. persons with severe visual impairment and the professionals involved. Therefore, over the period of six months, we organisations for adults with visual impairment, school counselling facilities (Special Educational Centres) and schools intended primarily for pupils with visual impairment, to receive answers from service users, pupils well as their instructors. We decided to address the lay public only later, after the after the initial study was completed. Our intention was to perform a primary probe into the chosen field of interest and identify the interesting aspects suitable for follow-up an applied research.

Tactile Architectural Drawings—Practical Application and Potential of Architectural Typhlographics

“…Understanding and actively using architectural space in conditions of permanent visual impairment are significantly difficult. Due to qualitative and quantitative perceptual and cognitive deficiencies, blind people struggle with significant disorders of spatial orientation [1], which then significantly affect mobility and cause locomotion difficulties [2,3]. Natural aversion and the fear of non-visual exploration of the architectural environment are additionally intensified by the barriers present in the space.…”

Meningkatkan Kemampuan Orientasi dan Mobilitas Anak Usia Dini Tunanetra melalui Permainan Petak Umpet yang Dimodifikasi

“…Pemain yang berperan sebagai pencari akan terus bergerak mencari dan mendekati posisi lawannya atau penyembunyi yang juga bergerak menghindari si pencari. Kemampuan bergerak atau berjalan secara mandiri pada anak dengan hambatan visual sangat berhubungan dengan orientasi spasial (Růžičková, 2019) sehingga yang menjadi pemain dalam permainan petak umpet ini akan dilatih untuk mengembangkan kemampuan orientasi ruangnya agar bisa menemukan posisi yang ditujunya. Mobilitas sangat berkaitan dengan orientasi karena tidak mungkin dapat bergerak secara efektif dan efisien kalau tidak ada kemampuan orientasi.…”