Bleau Maxime, Martiniello Natalina, Gingras-Royer Nathalie, Tardif-Bernier Catherine, Nemargut Joseph Paul
School of Optometry, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur le Cerveau et l'Apprentissage, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2025 Aug 25:1-29. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2025.2544942.
Mainstream smartphone applications are increasingly replacing the use of traditional visual aids to facilitate independent travel for people with blindness or low vision. However, little is known about which navigation apps are being used, the factors underpinning these decisions and why apps are not used in certain contexts. The goal of this study was to explore the navigation-based apps used by individuals who are blind or who have low vision, the factors influencing these decisions, and perceptions about gaps to address future needs in navigation.
An international online survey was conducted with 139 participants who self-identified as blind or low vision.
Findings indicate that the decision to use an app based on artificial intelligence (AI) versus live video assistance is related to whether the task is dynamic or static in nature. Although most participants rely on apps only during unfamiliar routes (60.9%), apps are shown to supplement rather than replace traditional tools such as the white cane and dog guide. Participants underscore the need for future apps to better assist with indoor navigation and to provide more precise information about points of interest (POI).
These results provide vital insights for technology developers about the perceived utility of smartphone apps for people with low vision or blindness during navigation. Our results highlight the importance of built-in accessibility features for users with visual impairments. As additional technology-based solutions are developed, it is essential that blind and low vision users, including rehabilitation professionals, are meaningfully included within design.
主流智能手机应用程序越来越多地取代传统视觉辅助工具，以方便盲人或视力低下者独立出行。然而，对于正在使用哪些导航应用程序、这些决策背后的因素以及为什么在某些情况下不使用应用程序，我们知之甚少。本研究的目的是探索盲人或视力低下者使用的基于导航的应用程序、影响这些决策的因素，以及对解决未来导航需求差距的看法。
对139名自称盲人或视力低下的参与者进行了一项国际在线调查。
研究结果表明，基于人工智能（AI）的应用程序与实时视频辅助应用程序的使用决策，与任务本质上是动态还是静态有关。尽管大多数参与者仅在不熟悉的路线上依赖应用程序（60.9%），但应用程序被证明是对传统工具（如白手杖和导盲犬）的补充，而非替代。参与者强调，未来的应用程序需要更好地协助室内导航，并提供有关兴趣点（POI）的更精确信息。
这些结果为技术开发者提供了重要见解，有助于了解智能手机应用程序在视力低下或失明者导航过程中的感知效用。我们的结果凸显了为视障用户提供内置无障碍功能的重要性。随着更多基于技术的解决方案的开发，将盲人及视力低下用户（包括康复专业人员）切实纳入设计过程至关重要。
