Bandukda, Maryam; (2024) Towards technology design to support blind and partially sighted people’s outdoor experiences. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

Text MaryamBandukda_Thesis.pdf - Accepted Version Access restricted to UCL open access staff until 1 July 2025. Download (5MB)

Abstract

Open spaces such as parks and the countryside are valuable for exploration, relaxation, socialising, and physical activity. However, many blind and partially sighted (BPS) people are unable to access open spaces due to a lack of accessible information, inaccessible substructure, and limited social support to explore and engage with the natural environment. Regular access to open spaces has been linked to a positive impact on the quality of life through physical activity and relaxation. There is growing research within HCI to enable access to open spaces to enhance the quality of life for blind and partially sighted people. Yet, there is insufficient research on technologies to support BPS people in exploring open spaces. Most technologies are designed to enable independence in wayfinding through obstacle detection, route planning, and access to transport. Furthermore, research on supporting BPS people in capturing and sharing their experiences is severely limited. This thesis aims to address this research gap by employing an exploratory qualitative research approach to investigate the needs of and barriers experienced by BPS people in open spaces and how technology can enhance access to open spaces. To this end, this thesis makes four contributions. Firstly, this thesis contributes an in-depth exploration of Orientation and Mobility (O&M) and rehabilitation in the UK and the impact of O&M training on the confidence and self-efficacy of BPS people through life transitions. Furthermore, it highlights the strengths and limitations of current O&M practice in supporting independence in open spaces. Secondly, through findings from an exploratory survey, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups, this thesis contributes a comprehensive understanding of BPS people’s needs for accessing and engaging with open spaces. The key themes across the findings were the need for autonomy of access to open spaces and being able to share experiences with others. Participants sought technologies to support access to information about open spaces to enable the capturing and sharing of leisure experiences, thereby contributing to other BPS peoples’ experiences when planning open space visits. Thirdly, building on these findings, this thesis contributes the PLACES framework, providing a structured approach to systematically analyse the information needs of BPS people across the stages of open space experience: Plan, Access, Engage, and Share (PLACES). The framework also identifies opportunities to support BPS people’s agency in planning, their autonomy in accessing open spaces, and enhancing a sense of contribution through experience sharing. This thesis provides valuable insights into the information and interaction needs of BPS individuals throughout their PLACES experience. By identifying key design dimensions and parameters, this research can inform the development of technologies that enhance the overall experience for BPS individuals in PLACES. The PLACES framework highlighted the increased need for information access and sharing in Plan and Share stages. Therefore, a novel experience capturing and sharing experience probe, SenseMap, was designed to aid BPS individuals in capturing and sharing detailed multisensory descriptions of their open space experiences. Through SenseMap, participants reported a heightened sense of connection with and understanding of open spaces, a strengthened sense of belonging within the BPS community, family members and companions, and a deeper connection to the environment. In summary, this thesis makes a valuable addition to the expanding field of human- computer interaction (HCI) and accessibility and assistive technology (AT). The findings obtained are of particular significance for developing technologies aimed at fostering experience sharing and contribution among BPS people and other people with and without disabilities.

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