title: Hearing the way: requirements and preferences for technology-supported navigation aids.
abstract: Many systems have been developed to assist wayfinding for people with sight problems. There is a need for user requirements for such systems to be defined. This paper presents a study which aimed to determine such user requirements. An experiment was also conducted to establish the best way of guiding users between locations. The focus group results indicated that users require systems to provide them with information about their surroundings, to guide them along their route and to provide progress information. They also showed that users with sight conditions interact with systems differently to sighted users, thereby highlighting the importance of designing systems for the needs of these users. Results of the experiment found that the preferred method of guiding users was a notification when they were both on and off track. However, performance was best when only provided with the off track notification, implying that this cue is particularly important. Technology has the potential to support navigation for people with sight problems. Users should have control over cues provided and for these cues should supplement environmental cues rather than replacing them.
authors: Human Factors Research Group, Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK. Electronic address: laura.lewis@nottingham.ac.uk.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Lewis
authors: Human Factors Research Group, Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK. Electronic address: sarah.sharples@nottingham.ac.uk.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Sharples
authors: User Vision, 55 North Castle Street, Edinburgh EH2 3QA, UK. Electronic address: ed@uservision.co.uk.
authors: Ed
authors: E
authors: Chandler
authors: Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6XU, UK. Electronic address: john.worsfold@rnib.org.uk.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Worsfold
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012682:Sensory Aids / Q000592:standards*; D013016:Sound; D065854:Spatial Navigation; D019987:Persons with Visual Disabilities / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Blind and partially sighted; Navigation; Wayfinding