Usability of Indoor Network Navigation Solutions for Persons with Visual Impairments

Abstract

The United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) obligates States Parties to ensure personal mobility and independence for persons with disabilities by promoting access to and the development of assistive technology (AT)—i.e. products and services that enhance daily living and quality of life for persons with disabilities. Research has examined the experiences of persons with different disabilities using ICT and AT for indoor navigation and wayfinding. However, in the last year, ICT developers have made substantial strides in deploying Internet of Things (IoT) devices as part of indoor network navigation solutions (INNS) for persons with visual impairments. This article asks, ‘To what extent do persons with visual impairments perceive INNS as usable?’ Quantitative and qualitative data from an experimental trial conducted with 36 persons with visual impairments shows that persons with visual impairments largely consider INNS as usable for wayfinding in transportation stations. However, the results also suggest that persons with visual impairments experienced barriers using INNS due to the timing of the instructions. Future research should continue to investigate the usability of INNS for persons with visual impairments and focus specifically on reliability and responsivity of the instruction timing.