Department of Rehabilitation, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada.
Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Institut de réadaptation en déficience physique de Québec, Quebec City, Canada.
Disabil Rehabil. 2021 May;43(9):1260-1269. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2019.1655103. Epub 2019 Aug 26.
International standards govern the installation of detectable warning surfaces in urban environments. However, the application of these standards at the local level poses many challenges due to contextual differences.
The aim of this qualitative cross-sectional study was to evaluate the usability of detectable warning surfaces installed in Quebec City (Canada) with people with visual impairments. Nineteen participants with various profiles visited two sites where the detectable warning surfaces had been installed. They tested the surfaces as well as adjacent urban facilities following a pedestrian route. They were then interviewed about what they thought of the detectable warning surfaces: their usefulness, messages transmitted, locations chosen, how safe they make users feel, types of environment in which they should be installed, how detectable they are, their advantages and disadvantages, and any desired improvements.
Generally, the participants understood the messages transmitted by the warning surfaces and were in favor of their installation. They identified some disadvantages and suggested various improvements.
The results of this study provide important information concerning the usability of detectable warning surfaces for partners and stakeholders in Quebec City and also contribute to the international literature in this field.Implications for rehabilitationDetectable warning surfaces increase the readability or use of road infrastructures by people with visual impairments. They make it easier for them to get around independently.This project supports the importance of establishing an effective communication plan, particularly with the aim of clarifying the contexts of implantation and the messages transmitted by the detectable warning surfaces to the people with visual impairments. Training could systematically be offered to them by an orientation and mobility specialist.It is also important to inform and educate the general public and bus drivers about the presence of detectable warning surfaces. Information could be transmitted via some community organizations and the public transit networks.In order to effectively coordinate the implantation process of detectable warning surfaces, communication and consultation between the various stakeholders are essential, including the designers, the municipalities and the concerned government authorities.
国际标准规定了在城市环境中安装可察觉警示表面的要求。然而，由于背景差异，在地方层面应用这些标准存在许多挑战。
本定性横断面研究的目的是评估在加拿大魁北克市安装的可察觉警示表面对视力障碍者的可用性。19 名具有不同背景的参与者参观了两个安装了可察觉警示表面的地点。他们按照步行路线测试了警示表面以及相邻的城市设施，然后接受了关于他们对可察觉警示表面的看法的访谈：它们的有用性、传达的信息、选择的位置、它们让使用者感到多安全、应安装在哪些类型的环境中、它们有多容易察觉、它们的优缺点以及任何期望的改进。
总体而言，参与者理解了警示表面传达的信息，并支持其安装。他们指出了一些缺点并提出了各种改进建议。
本研究的结果为魁北克市的合作伙伴和利益相关者提供了有关可察觉警示表面可用性的重要信息，也为该领域的国际文献做出了贡献。
可察觉警示表面提高了视力障碍者对道路基础设施的可读性或使用。它们使他们更能够独立出行。
本项目支持建立有效沟通计划的重要性，特别是旨在澄清可察觉警示表面的 implantation 背景和传达的信息给视力障碍者。可以由定向和移动专家为他们提供系统的培训。
告知和教育公众和公交车司机有关可察觉警示表面的存在也很重要。可以通过一些社区组织和公共交通网络来传递信息。
为了有效协调可察觉警示表面的 implantation 过程，设计师、市政当局和相关政府当局等各利益相关者之间的沟通和协商至关重要。
