Types of Vision Diseases Most Individuals who are legally blind, have usable vision. Congenital Acquired …On a Continuum… Full Visual Ability Vision Impairment & Low Vision Legal Blindness Blindness or Deafblindness Total Blindness Vision Loss Terms take into account… Acuity: how clear (or blurred) vision is… Field: how full, constricted, or spotted the visual area of view is… Contrast Sensitivity: how clear (or clouded) vision is… Vision Acuity: How clear (or blurred) vision Is… 303 Photo Credit- Lisa DiBonaventura COMS/Shriver Clinical Services Contrast Sensitivity: How clear (or clouded) vision is… 304 Photo Credit-Lisa DiBonaventura COMS: Shiver Clinical Services 305 Photo Credit: National Eye Institute 305PhotoCredit:NationalEyeInstitute 306 PhotoCredit:NationalEyeInstitute306 PhotoCredit:NationalEyeInstitute 307 PhotoCredit:NationalEyeInstitute307 PhotoCredit:NationalEyeInstitute 308 PhotoCredit:NationalEyeInstitute308 PhotoCredit:NationalEyeInstitute USA: Legal Blindness Individual has vision acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the best possible correction (with eye glasses or contacts on) and/or Individual has a visual field of 10 degrees or less in the better eye with the best possible correction (with eye glasses or contacts on). Orientation & Mobility Orientation/Wayfinding Refers to the ability to know where you are, in relationship to where you want to go. Non Visual Cues & Landmarks Indoors: Changes of flooring Ceiling height Room sounds Door thresholds Furniture placement Outdoor Curbs/Ramps Building line/open space Environmental noises/smells Traffic noises & patterns Terrain changes Mobility/Navigation Refers to the ability to move safely, efficiently, and effectively from one place to another. How do people who are legally blind travel? Many may be visual travelers Or use low vision tools such as a telescope Or use a Long Cane Or a Dog Guide Or cane for ID Where do you want folks to go? How will Individuals get to Site? Walking, Public Transit? Around the Site… Entrance/information desk Fire Exits Offices Stairs Kitchen/dining areas Community Rooms Different ways to get around inside without a mobility aid Trailing Sighted Guide Verbal Directions Sighted Guide Technique 323 Photo Credit: Lisa DiBonaventura COMS Shriver Clinical Services Have Individual take your arm, placing you in front Do not pull or push individual Define the starting point. Cognitive Load What does a person really need to know? Challenges Challenges Inaccessible reading formats Ambiguous or unclear signs No decision points signs Limited ability to process or understand information received Decreased speed for processing information when making decisions & implementing action Where to Go? Decorative but not functional Glare issues Solutions Signs and Notices Need to be simple short & easily understood Location of signs should be part of the process of planning the building & environment Should be consistent using similar typeface, colors & other graphic devices (From RNIB Building Sight 1995) Location Should be placed in logical position & be identifiable. Sign should be contrasted with background it is on. Print should be contrasted with background of sign. Lighting is important Place at locations & heights that don’t protrude into pathways or create obstructions Use of Floor patterns defining space Understanding Understanding the layout and figuring out where to go is important AnIndividualwhoisAnIndividualwhoisvisuallyimpairedmustvisuallyimpairedmustpiecetogetherpiecetogetherinformation.information. UnderstandingthelayoutUnderstandingthelayoutandfiguringoutwheretoandfiguringoutwheretogoisimportantgoisimportantAnIndividualwhosAnIndividualwhoisvisuallyimpairedmustvisuallyimpairedmustpiecetogetherpiecetogetherinformation.information. LargeOpenSpacesLargeOpenSpacesVerydifficulttonavigateVerydifficulttonavigateShouldbebrokendownintoShouldbebrokendownintosmallerpacessmallerspacesFloorpatternscanbehelpfulFloorpatternscanbehelpfulContrastingpaintondoorContrastingpaintondooredgesand/ordoorscanhelpedgesand/ordoorscanhelpdefinespace.definespace. LargeOpenSpacesLargeOpenSpacesVerydifficulttonavigateVerydifficulttonavigateShouldbebrokendownintoShouldbebrokendownintosmallerpacessmallerspacesFloorpatternscanbehelpfulFloorpatternscanbehelpfulContrastingpaintondoorContrastingpaintondooredgesand/ordoorscanhelpedgesand/ordoorscanhelpdefinespace.definespace. Directions Giving directions is an Art Simple is best Landmarks Street crossings: Take a left on Main isn’t helpful if there are no street signs to tell you which street is Main. Assume there won’t be a street sign. Walking routes & driving routes are different. Orientation Naming & Labeling of areas (hallways, landmarks, streets, etc.) Intersections & turns Directions: left, right, straight ahead, behind, etc. Routes that make sense: Home base & clear destination Landmarks are easy to find , unique & stationary Depending on site set up, always begin at the same place Overview of space environment Be consistent with directions. Everything should have the same name. Assistive Technology Orientation Resources TalkingSignsTalkingSignsClickandGoWayfindingMapsClickandGoWayfindingMapsSoundPostOrientationSystemSoundPostOrientationSystemTalingGPSSystemsTalkingGPSSystemsSendoroGroupSendoroGroupHumanwareHumanwareAssistiveTechnologyOrientationResourcesTalkingSignsTalkngSignsClickandGoWayfindingMapsClickandGoWayfindingMapsSoundPostOrientationSystemSoundPostOrientationSystemTalkingGPSSystemsTalingGPSSystemsSendoroGroupSendoroGroupHumanwareHumanware Color & Contrast Stair Markings 363 Photo Credit-Lisa DiBonaventura COMS Shriver Clinical Services 364 Photo Credit: Lisa DiBonaventura COMS Shriver Clinical Services 365 Photo Credit: Lisa DiBonaventura COMS Shriver Clinical Services 367 Photo Credit: Joe Kolb COMS Carroll Center for the Blind 367 PhotoCredit:JoeKolbCOMSCarrollCenterfortheBlind The “C”s of Vision Loss Caution: Adapt environments for safer movement Courtesy: Always identify yourself when working with an Individual Communication: Use specific directions Consistency: Keep objects and rooms consistent Contrast: When in Doubt Ask Individual!: Does she need…. Room nearer to bathroom or meeting areas? Lighting improvements? Written material in alternative formats? Resources 911 Disability Indicator How to Outreach to Individuals who are Blind How to contact Vision Professionals- if need O&M Services are needed. In service training for staff & residents Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist Services In-Individual training for Individuals who are Legally Blind Environmental Assessment Thanks for Coming! Julie Boren COMS Cynthia Guise COM O&M Department Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Julie.Boren@state.ma.us Cynthia.Guise@state.ma.us