Questionnaire on Travel for Blind and Visually Impaired People
I am a senior lecturer at the University of Glasgow in Scotland with a number of years of experience developing technology to support blind, deaf and deafblind people. This questionnaire forms part of research I am carrying out into the travel experiences of blind and visually impaired people. The aims of this research are:
1.To better understand what is involved in travelling for blind and visually impaired people.
2.To determine whether there is a need for the development of new travel aids, new systems for providing information to blind and visually impaired people or modifications to make buildings, roads and other public spaces more accessible.
The questionnaire can be completed anonymously and the results returned either by email or by post. The questionnaires are totally confidential and I am the only person who will see the returned forms. The published results will not identify any respondent in any way.
The questionnaire consists of seven sections and should not take longer than 40 minutes to complete. The first section, Section A, asks for personal information to investigate whether there is any relationship between factors such as age or type of visual impairment and travel experiences. The last section, Section H, gives you the opportunity to provide additional comments. Most of the questions are in multiple choice format. Unless the question gives other instructions, you should mark your preferred option with an ‘x’. The number of options is given in brackets after the question and where appropriate ‘other’, ‘I am not sure’ or ‘not relevant’ options are provided. Questions 5b, 8 and 9b in Section A, questions 1, 6d and 6e in Section B, questions 1b and 1c in Section C, questions 5, 6 and 8c in Section D and questions 1 and 2 in Section H are open response questions. Questions 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Section D and questions 5 et 6 in Section G ask you to categorise the importance of a number of factors in a list.
I would be grateful if you could return the questionnaire to
or
Dr M. Hersh
Dept of Electronics and Electrical Engineering
University of Glasgow
Glasgow G12 8LT
Scotland.
I would like to thank you in advance for your help. If you have any further questions, please contact me on .
A. Personal Information
1. Are you? (3 options)
Male___
Female___
Transsexual/transgender___
2. What age group are you? (5 options):
16-25___
26-40___
41-60___
61-70___
Over 70___
3. Are you? (8 options):
Blind from birth___
Blind from childhood___
Blind from early adulthood___
Blind from middle or old age (after the age of 45 years)___
Visually impaired from birth___
Visually impaired from childhood___
Visually impaired from early adulthood___
Visually impaired from middle or old age (after the age of 45 years)___
4(a) Are you? (5 options)
Totally blind with no awareness of light___
Blind and able to distinguish light and dark___
Able to see shapes, but unable to distinguish detail or to read print___
Able to read very large print text (20 pt)___
Able to read large print text (14 pt)___
(b) How would you classify your peripheral (side) vision? (4 options):
Good___
Moderate___
Limited___
Non-existent___
(c) How well do you see at night (4 options):
Reasonably well___
Moderately well___
Very little___
Not at all___
(d) Do you experience difficulties going from a well lit place to a dark place? (4 options)
Yes, serious difficulties___
Yes, moderate difficulties___
No___
I am not sure___
(e) Do you experience difficulties in going from a dark place to a well-lit place? (4 options)
Yes, serious difficulties___
Yes, moderate difficulties___
No___
I am not sure___
(f) Can you see colours in daylight? (3 options)
Yes, all or most colours___
Only some colours___
No___
(g) Can you see colours during the day in artificial light? (3 options)
Yes, all or most colours___
Only some colours___
No___
5(a) Do you have any other impairments (2 options)?
Yes___
No___
(b) If yes, please specify
6. Do you live? (8 options):
On your own___
As a single parent with dependent children___
With a partner (with or without children)___
With friends (with or without children)___
With close relatives ___
In a household including adults for whom you have a caring responsibility ___
In a care home ___
With a personal assistant (carer) ___
Other___ Please specify
7. Do you live in? (3 options):
A large city ___
A medium sized town or city ___
A village ___
8(a) What country are you living in at present?
(b) What country are you permanently resident in?
9(a) Do you have any educational, vocational or professional qualifications? (2 options):
Yes ___
No ___
(b) If yes, what is your main or highest qualification?
10. Are you? (6 options)
At college or university___
Looking after children and the household full time___
Employed part time___
Employed full time___
Unemployed___
Retired___
Other___ Please specify
11. If you are employed, which of the following best describes your job? (5 options):
Manual work___
Secretarial and administrative___
Professional___
Technical___
Other___ Please specify ___
B. Travel Details
1 What sort of short, medium and long distance trips do you make? Please give examples or the approximate distance and/or time.
(a) Short distance trip
(b) Medium distance trip
(c) Long distance trip
2(a) How many short distance return trips do you make on average every week?
(b) What means of transport do you normally use? (11 options)
Walking___
Wheelchair___
Bus___
Tram___
Train___
Taxi___
Car as passenger___
Car as driver___
Bicycle___
Combination of the above___ Please specify ___
Other___ Please specify ___
(c) In general how easy do you find it to make these journeys? (6 options)
Very easy___
Easy___
Neither easy nor difficult___
Difficult___
Very difficult___
I am not sure___
3(a) How many medium distance return trips do you make on average each week?
(b) What means of transport do you normally use? (9 options)
Bus___
Tram___
Train___
Taxi___
Car as passenger___
Car as driver___
Bicycle___
Combination of the above___ Please specify
Other ___ Please specify ___
(c) In general how easy do you find it to make these journeys? (7 options)
Very easy___
Easy___
Neither easy nor difficult___
Difficult___
Very difficult___
I am not sure___
Not relevant___
4(a) How many long distance return trips do you make on average each year?
(b) What means of transport do you normally use? (6 options)
Long distance coach___
Train___
Car as passenger___
Car as driver___
Aeroplane___
Other___ Please specify
(c) In general how easy do you find it to make these journeys? (7 options)
Very easy___
Easy___
Neither easy nor difficult___
Difficult___
Very difficult___
I am not sure___
Not relevant___
5(a) How many trips outside your country of residence do you make on average each year?
(b) What means of transport do you normally use? (6 options)
Long distance coach (and ferry)___
Train___
Car as passenger (and ferry)___
Car as driver (and ferry)___
Aeroplane___
Other___ Please specify
(c) In general how easy do you find it to make these journeys? (6 options)
Very easy___
Easy___
Neither easy nor difficult___
Difficult___
Very difficult___
I am not sure___
6(a) How often do you ask for assistance when crossing the road at a complex junction without audible traffic lights, for instance a roundabout or a busy road with traffic flowing in many different directions? (5 options)
Never___
Until I am familiar with the junction___
Most of the time___
Always___
Not relevant___
(b) How easy or difficult do you find it to cross a quiet road without audible traffic lights that you have not crossed before? (7 options)
Very easy___
Easy___
Neither easy nor difficult___
Difficult___
Very difficult___
I am not sure___
Not relevant___
(c) How easy or difficult do you find it to cross the road at a complex junction without audible traffic lights, where you have crossed previously for instance a roundabout or a busy road with traffic flowing in many different directions? (7 options)
Very easy___
Easy___
Neither easy nor difficult___
Difficult___
Very difficult___
I am not sure___
Not relevant___
(d) What makes a road or junction (relatively) easy for you to cross
(e) Please state what makes a road or junction difficult for you to cross?
7(a) How often do you ask for assistance to find the correct bus stop? (5 options)
Never___
Until I am familiar with the route to the bus stop___
Most of the time___
Always___
Not relevant___
(b) How often do you ask for assistance to identify the correct bus to get on? (4 options)
Never___
Most of the time___
Always___
Not relevant___
(c) How easy or difficult is it for you to find the correct bus stop in a familiar area? (7 options)
Very easy___
Easy___
Neither easy nor difficult___
Difficult___
Very difficult___
I am not sure___
Not relevant___
(d) How easy or difficult is it for you to find the correct bus stop in an unfamiliar area? (7 options)
Very easy___
Easy___
Neither easy nor difficult___
Difficult___
Very difficult___
I am not sure___
Not relevant___
(e) How easy or difficult is it for you to identify the correct bus to get on? (7 options)
Very easy___
Easy___
Neither easy nor difficult___
Difficult___
Very difficult___
I am not sure___
Not relevant___
8(a) How often do you ask for assistance in using an automatic ticket machine? (5 options)
Never___
The first few times I use the particular machine___
Most of the time___
Always___
Not relevant___
(b) How often do you ask for assistance in passing the ticket barrier? (5 options)
Never___
Until I am familiar with the barrier___
Most of the time___
Always___
Not relevant___
(c) How easy or difficult is it for you to use an automatic ticket machine you have used before (7 options)
Very easy___
Easy___
Neither easy nor difficult___
Difficult___
Very difficult___
I am not sure___
Not relevant___
(d) How easy or difficult is it for you to use an automatic ticket machine you have not used before (7 options)
Very easy___
Easy___
Neither easy nor difficult___
Difficult___
Very difficult___
I am not sure___
Not relevant___
(e) How easy or difficult is it for you to pass through the ticket barrier at a station you know? (7 options)
Very easy___
Easy___
Neither easy nor difficult___
Difficult___
Very difficult ___
I am not sure
Not relevant ___
(f) How easy or difficult is it for you to pass through the ticket barrier at an unfamiliar station? (7 options)
Very easy___
Easy___
Neither easy nor difficult___
Difficult___
Very difficult___
I am not sure___
Not relevant___
9(a) How often do you ask for assistance to find the correct platform on the underground? (5 options)
Never___
Until I am familiar with the station___
Most of the time___
Always___
Not relevant___
(b) How often do you ask for assistance to identifying the correct railway train to get on? (4 options)
Never___
Most of the time___
Always___
Not relevant___
(c) How easy or difficult is it for you to identifying the correct railway train to get on? (7 options)
Very easy___
Easy___
Neither easy nor difficult___
Difficult___
Very difficult___
I am not sure___
Not relevant___
(d) How easy or difficult is it for you to find the correct platform on the underground at a familiar station? (7 options)
Very easy___
Easy___
Neither easy nor difficult___
Difficult___
Very difficult___
I am not sure___
Not relevant___
(e) How easy or difficult is it for you to find the correct platform on the underground at an unfamiliar station? (7 options)
Very easy___
Easy___
Neither easy nor difficult___
Difficult___
Very difficult___
I am not sure___
Not relevant___
(f) How easy or difficult is it for you to get onto the train or bus? (7 options)
Very easy___
Easy___
Neither easy nor difficult___
Difficult___
Very difficult___
I am not sure___
Not relevant___
(g) How easy or difficult is it for you to find a seat on the train or bus? (7 options)
Very easy___
Easy___
Neither easy nor difficult___
Difficult___
Very difficult___
I am not sure___
Not relevant___
C. Use of Travel Aids
1(a) Which is the travel aid that you use most frequently? (9 options)
None___
Long cane___ If so, what type___
Guide dog___
Human guide___
Electronic cane___
Other electronic travel aid___
Telescope___
Combination of the above ___
Other___ Please specify ___
(b) How well does this aid enable you to avoid obstacles? (6 options)
Very well___
Well___
To some extent___
Very little help___
No help at all___
I am not sure___
(c) What pace or speed do you move at with this travel aid? (4 options)
Fast pace___
Moderate pace___
Slow pace___
I am not sure___
(d) How safe do you feel with this travel aid? (6 options)
Very safe___
Safe___
Neither safe nor unsafe___
Unsafe___
Very unsafe___
I am not sure___
(e) If you use an electronic cane or other electronic travel aid, please state which one.
(f) If you use a combination of aids, please state which combination
2(a) Do you use any travel aid to help you work out a route to your destination before travelling? (2 options)
Yes ___
No ___
(b) If yes, do you use? (9 options)
GPS system___
Tactile map with Braille text___
Tactile map with embossed text___
Tactile map with audio description___
An audio map or audio description of your route___
Large print map___
Information in Braille___
Internet with screen reader or screen magnifier___
Other___ Please specify
3(a) Do you use any travel aid to help you find your destination and/or work out where you are on a route? (2 options)
Yes___
No___
(b) If yes, do you use? (9 options)
GPS system___
Spoken information from signs or kiosks in the environment e.g. Talking Signs___
Tactile map with Braille text___
Tactile map with embossed text___
Tactile map with audio description___
An audio map or audio description of your route___
Large print map___
Information in Braille___
Other___ Please specify
(c) Do you use this aid? (5 options)
The first time you travel to a new destination___
The first few times you travel to a new destination until you are sure of the route___
On most of your journeys___
Always___
Always on complex routes and once or twice for simple routes___
(d) How confident do you feel when using this aid that you will reach your destination without problems? (6 options)
Very confident___
Confident___
Neither confident nor unconfident___
Unconfident___
Very unconfident___
I am not sure___
4(a) Do you use any other travel aids occasionally? (2 options)
Yes___
No ___
(b) If yes, which travel aid do you use occasionally? (7 options)
Long cane___
Guide dog___
Human guide___
Electronic cane___
Other electronic travel aid___
Combination of the above___
Other___ Please specify
5(a) Have you previously used any other travel aids, which you no longer use? (2 options)
Yes___
No___
(b) If so, which one(s)?
(c) What were the main reasons you no longer use this aid? If more than one reason is relevant, plus indicate the order of importance, with ‘1’ the most important reason (5 options)
Unreliable___
Difficult to use___
Broke down and did not consider it worth repairing or replacing___
Other___ Please specify
I am not sure___
D. Perceiving and Representing your Surroundings
1. Could you indicate how important from 0 (totally unimportant) to 5 (very important) each of the following senses or types of information is in telling you about your surroundings:
Hearing___
Sight___
Taste___
Smell___
Touch with your hands___
Touch or pressure via a long cane___
Pressure or air movement on your face___
The warmth of the sun___
Touch or pressure through your feet___
Electronic cane___
GPS system___
Spoken information from signs or kiosks in the environment e.g. Talking Signs___
Tactile map___
Other ___ Please specify ___
2. Could you indicate how important from 0 (totally unimportant) to 5 (very important) each of the following senses or types of information is in helping you to avoid obstacles:
Hearing___
Sight___
Taste___
Smell___
Touch with your hands___
Touch or pressure via a long cane___
Pressure or air movement on your face___
The warmth of the sun___
Touch or pressure through your feet___
Electronic cane___
GPS system___
Spoken information from signs or kiosks in the environment e.g. Talking Signs___
Tactile map___
Other___ Please specify
3. Could you indicate how important from 0 (totally unimportant) to 5 (very important) each of the following senses or types of information is in telling you where you are on a route:
Hearing___
Sight___
Taste___
Smell___
Touch with your hands___
Touch or pressure via a long cane___
Pressure or air movement on your face___
The warmth of the sun___
Touch or pressure through your feet___
Electronic cane___
GPS system___
Spoken information from signs or kiosks in the environment e.g. Talking Signs___
Tactile map___
Other___ Please specify ___
4. Could you indicate how important from 0 (totally unimportant) to 5 (very important) each of the following senses or types of information is in helping you to navigate to your destination:
Hearing___
Sight___
Taste___
Smell___
Touch with your hands___
Touch or pressure via a long cane___
Pressure or air movement on your face___
The warmth of the sun___
Touch or pressure through your feet___
Electronic cane___
GPS system___
Spoken information from signs or kiosks in the environment e.g. Talking Signs___
Tactile map___
Other___ Please specify
5. If you use visual landmarks, are there landmarks that you used to be able to see, but you have difficulties seeing now? (8 options)
Yes, sometimes in daylight___
Yes, in daylight___
Yes, sometimes in the day in artificial light___
Yes, in the day in artificial light___
Yes, at night___
Yes, in the day and at night___
No, never___
The question is not relevant___
(b) If yes, do you use?
(i) Different visual landmarks (8 options)
Yes, sometimes in daylight___
Yes, in daylight___
Yes, sometimes in the day in artificial light___
Yes, in the day in artificial light___
Yes, at night___
Yes, in the day and at night___
No, never___
(ii) More audio landmarks (8 options)
Yes, sometimes in daylight___
Yes, in daylight___
Yes, sometimes in the day in artificial light___
Yes, in the day in artificial light___
Yes, at night___
Yes, in the day and at night___
No, never___
The question is not relevant___
(iii) More scent landmarks (8 options)
Yes, sometimes in daylight___
Yes, in daylight___
Yes, sometimes in the day in artificial light___
Yes, in the day in artificial light___
Yes, at night___
Yes, in the day and at night___
No, never___
The question is not relevant___
(iv) More tactile landmarks (8 options)
Yes, sometimes in daylight___
Yes, in daylight___
Yes, sometimes in the day in artificial light___
Yes, in the day in artificial light___
Yes, at night___
Yes, in the day and at night___
No, never___
The question is not relevant___
6. Consider a simple route that you know well.
(a) What sort of information and what landmarks would you give to a blind or visually impaired person to enable them to follow this route?
(b) What directions, information or description of the route would you give to a blind or visually impaired person to enable them to follow this route. If the route is long and complicated you may want to give the information or description for only the first part of the route.
7. Think of somewhere you know well, for instance a room in your house. Describe this room or place as you think of it or ‘picture’ it to yourself. If your description is long and complicated, you may want to provide an overview of the room or place and more detailed information about one part of it.
8. How do you most easily learn a new route (6 options)
By using a tactile map___
By using a large print map___
By using a GPS___
With a human guide who draws your attention to important obstacles and landmarks___
By going along the route myself___
Other___ Please specify
(b) How do you retain the information about a route in your memory? (As a visual image, as an audio description, as a physical memor GPS …). Please provide as much detail as possible.
9. Could you explain what makes it easier for you to follow a known than an unknown route
E. Development of New Travel Aids
1 Do you think there is a need for new and improved travel aids? (3 options)
Yes___
No___
I am not sure___
2. Please indicate the importance to you from 0 (not at all important) to 5 (very important) of each of the following factors in a travel aid:
Cost___
Appearance___
Ease of use___
Not requiring extended training___
Reliability___
Provides accurate information___
Other___ Please specify
3. If a suitable travel aid were available, would you prefer? (6 options)
A single travel aid which provides information on avoiding obstacles, navigating your way to your destination and determining where you are on a route ___
Separate aids for avoiding obstacles, navigation and determining where you are ___
Only an aid for avoiding obstacles___
Only an aid for navigation___
Only an aid for determining where you are___
I am not sure___
4 Do you prefer a travel aid to provide you with information by? (9 options)
Sounds___
Speech___
Vibration___
A sensation of pressure e.g. on your hands___
Braille___
Other tactile signal___
A combination of the above___
It depends on the circumstances___
I am not sure___
5(a). Are there other functions you would like from a new travel aid, either instead of or in addition to obstacle avoidance, navigation and determining where you are on a route? (3 options)
Yes___
No___
I am not sure___
(b) If so, which ones?
(c) Would you be interested in an aid that provides additional information about the environment which is not required to detect obstacles? (4 options)
Yes___
No___
I am not sure___
In some circumstances___ Please provide details
F. Training
1. Have you received the following types of orientation and mobility training? (2 options)