THE SEVERELY VISUALLY HANDICAPPED: THEIR MOBILITY AND WILLINGNESS FOR MOBILITY TRAINING

The aim of the study was to help arrange mobility training for persons with severe visual handicaps, and to guide these persons to such training. Mobility means moving on foot outside the immediate home area or using public transport beyond the usual walking distance. The sample included 420 persons between the ages 17 and 64. The study did not include deaf-blind persons or persons with additional handicaps. Persons with low vision accounted 23%, and blind persons for 60% (17% unspecified). According to their own estimates, the visually handicapped walked an average of 3 kilometers daily. At the time of the study the average daily distance walked by finns was 1.15 km. The findings of the study indicate a positive picture of mobility and safety among the visually handicapped. It should be noted, however, that some of the visually impaired move only very seldom or only in the company of a seeing escort. Mobility training for a particular visually impaired person should be planned according to his individual skills and needs. The most significant independent variable in the mobility on foot of the visually handicapped was a desire for mobility. This, and willingness for mobility training are factors inherent in the disabled person. Further studies should particularly emphasize the problem of motivation. (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9519151370
• Corporate Authors:

  Central Organization for Traffic Safety, Finland

  Sitratie 7
  FIN-00420 Helsinki,   Finland 
• Authors:
  • Vihmaa, J
• Publication Date: 1987

Media Info

• Pagination: 51 p.
• Serial:
  • LIIKENNETURVAN TUTKIMUKSIA
  • Publisher: Liikenneturva
  • ISSN: 0782-2421

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Blindness; Mobility; Motion; Moving industry; Public transit; Walking
• ITRD Terms: 2075: Blindness; 9105: Mobility (pers); 9050: Moving; 744: Public transport; 758: Walking
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Public Transportation; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00492393
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
• ISBN: 951-9151-37-0
• Report/Paper Numbers: Rept No. 34
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 31 1990 12:00AM