Transporting People with Visual Impairments: Knowledge of University Campus Public Transportation Workers

Abstract

Introduction: To support independent travel skills and accessibility for people with visual impairments (i.e., those who are blind or have low vision), this research acknowledges bus driver perceptions of visual impairment and investigates how bus drivers interact with visually impaired travelers who ride public transportation. Methods: This study utilized the Social Responsibility about Blindness Scale and a researcher-created instrument to explore how bus drivers interact with visually impaired travelers. Results: Fifty-five drivers participated in this study, with 94.55% of these drivers reporting that they have had experiences interacting with visually impaired passengers. The top concern drivers reported was ensuring these passengers located the correct stop (26.56%). Using Likert-type scale ratings to assess driver knowledge and role in assisting passengers with vision loss, overall mean average of driver knowledge was 3.33 ( SD = 1.09, V = 1.23), indicating, as a whole, driver knowledge was in the range of “unsure/don’t know.” Discussion: Although many campus area bus drivers have experience interacting with passengers who are visually impaired, the attitude of drivers toward visual impairment is varied, and their knowledge of visual impairments is limited. Implications for practitioners: Based on results, drivers recognize that accommodations may be needed for passengers with vision loss, and they have an interest in learning how to assist passengers who are visually impaired who ride campus transportation. Based on this outcome, in-service training for drivers to address interactions and accommodations for passengers with vision loss may be warranted within public transportation operations.

Access to public transport to persons with visual disability: A scoping review

“…Only two studies under the current review included drivers as participants (Abraham et al, 2021; Fast & Wild, 2019) as shown in Table 2. Fast and Wild (2019) reported that drivers had concerns about the failure of persons with visual disability to recognize the correct stops, locate a seat, and directionality to ensure their safety, as passengers are at risk of tripping or falling (Fast & Wild, 2019).…”

“…Only two studies under the current review included drivers as participants (Abraham et al, 2021; Fast & Wild, 2019) as shown in Table 2. Fast and Wild (2019) reported that drivers had concerns about the failure of persons with visual disability to recognize the correct stops, locate a seat, and directionality to ensure their safety, as passengers are at risk of tripping or falling (Fast & Wild, 2019). The second study noted that drivers did not know how to relate to visually impaired pedestrians during public transport, they also did not have knowledge about the seating options for passengers with visual disability.…”

“…A training program of this nature is recommended to be should be obligatory, standardized (Gallagher et al, 2011) and administered through relevant state agencies with the possibility of influencing the selection of public transport drivers (Odame et al, 2020). The contents of the training must include guidelines based on feedback from travelers who are visually impaired regarding their own needs, and use such data to establish training sessions for public transport workers (Fast, 2018; Fast & Wild, 2019).…”

“…Only two studies (Abraham et al, 2021; Fast & Wild, 2019) from the current review investigated the access to public transportation for persons with visual disability from the perspective of public transport drivers or workers, with most studies investigating the journey by persons with visual disability from the users’ perspective. Assessing the use of public transport by PVD from their perspective is very good and paramount (Park & Chowdhury, 2018), but with the most commonly reported barrier to the use of public transport being the attitude of public transport drivers and/or workers, it would be important for studies to look at accessibility to public transportation by persons with visual disability from the driver’s perspective.…”

“…The way forward (resolutions, policies, recommendation) Training/education. The most documented solution to improving access to public transport for persons with visual disability was the provision of training programs for public transport drivers, workers, and to some extent the general public as shown in Table 3 (Abraham et al, 2021;Casey et al, 2013;Fast, 2018;Fast & Wild, 2019;Gallagher et al, 2011;Golledge et al, 1997;Hersh, 2016;Odame et al, 2020;Park & Chowdhury, 2018;Park et al, 2017). A training program of this nature is recommended to be should be obligatory, standardized (Gallagher et al, 2011) and administered through relevant state agencies with the possibility of influencing the selection of public transport drivers (Odame et al, 2020).…”