Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Self-Management of Orientation Technology and Auditory Cues for Indoor Travel by Two Persons with Multiple Disabilities

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study was an effort to extend the evaluation of orientation technology for promoting independent indoor traveling in persons with multiple disabilities. Two participants (adults) were included, who were to travel within their apartment and work place. The system adopted involved cueing sources only at the destinations (i.e., a single sound source per destination); thus, it was simplified compared to previous systems. Moreover, it involved a new operation-control device that allowed the participants to easily manage on their own the activation of the sources and, for one of the participants, also the frequency of the cueing. The results showed that both participants were successful in using the system on their own and thus performed their traveling correctly (independently) and in relatively short amounts of time. Moreover both of them indicated a clear preference for traveling with the use of the system rather than without it. The findings and their implications were discussed in relation to the new technology and the characteristics of the participants.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams, R., & Langdon, P. (2003). Principles and concept for information and communication technology design. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 97, 602–611.

    Google Scholar 

  • Algozzine, B., Browder, D., Karvonen, M., Test, D. W., & Wood, W. M. (2001). Effects of intervention to promote self-determination for individuals with disabilities. Review of Educational Research, 71, 219–277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Antonucci, M., Lancioni, G. E., O’Reilly, M. F., Singh, N. N., Sigafoos, J., & Oliva, D. (2006). Enabling a man with multiple disabilities and limited motor behavior to perform a functional task with help of microswitch technology. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 103, 83–88.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baldwin, D. (2003). Wayfinding technology: A road map to the future. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 97, 612–620.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barlow, D. H., Andrasik, F., & Hersen, M. (2006). Single-case experimental designs (3rd ed.). New York: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bentzen, B. L. (1977). Orientation maps for visually impaired persons. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 71, 193–196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg, W. K., & Wacker, D. P. (1989). Evaluation of tactile prompts with a student who is deaf, blind, and mentally retarded. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 22, 93–99.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blasch, B. B., Welsh, R. L., & Davidson, T. (1973). Auditory maps: An orientation aid for visually handicapped persons. The New Outlook for the Blind, 67, 145–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burchhardt, C. S. (2005). Educating patients: Self-management approaches. Disability and Rehabilitation, 27, 703–709.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dodds, A. G., Howarth, C. I., & Carter, D. C. (1982). The mental maps of the blind: The role of previous visual experience. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 76, 5–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Draheim, C. C., Williams, D. P., & McCubbin, J. A. (2002). Prevalence of physical inactivity and recommended physical activity in community-based adults with mental retardation. Mental Retardation, 40, 436–444.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Emerson, R. S. W., & Corn, A. L. (2006). Orientation and mobility content for children and youths. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 100, 331–342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gee, K., Harrell, R., & Rosenberg, R. (1987). Teaching orientation and mobility skills within and across natural opportunities for travel. In L. Goetz, D. Guess, & K. Stremel-Campbell (Eds.), Innovative program design for individuals with dual sensory impairments (pp. 127–157). Baltimore: Brookes.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guth, D., & LaDuke, R. (1994). The veering tendency of blind pedestrians: An analysis of the problem and literature review. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 88, 391–400.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guth, D., & LaDuke, R. (1995). Veering by blind pedestrians: Individual differences and their implications for instruction. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 89, 28–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Higgerty, M. J., & Williams, A. C. (2005). Orientation and mobility training using small groups. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 99, 755–764.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joffee, E. (1995). Approaches to teaching orientation and mobility. In K. M. Huebner, J. G. Prickett, T. R. Welch, & E. Joffee (Eds.), Hand in hand: Essentials of communication and orientation and mobility for your students who are deaf-blind (pp. 575–611). New York: AFB Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joffee, E., & Rikhye, C. H. (1991). Orientation and mobility for students with severe visual and multiple impairments: A new perspective. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 85, 211–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, F. (2006). Strategies to enhance chronic disease self-management: How can we apply this to stroke? Disability and Rehabilitation, 28, 841–847.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E. (2001). Behavior modification in applied settings (6th ed.). New York: Wadsworth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Konrad, M., Fowler, C. H., Walker, A. R., Test, D. W., & Wood, W. M. (2007). Effects of self-determination interventions on the academic skills of students with learning disabilities. Learning Disability Quarterly, 30, 89–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lachapelle, Y., Wehmeyer, M. L., Haelewyck, M. C., Courbois, Y., Keith, K. D., Schalock, R., et al. (2005). The relationship between quality of life and self-determination: An international study. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 49, 740–744.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lancioni, G. E., Gigante, A., O’Reilly, M. F., Oliva, D., & Montironi, L. (2000). Indoor travel and simple tasks as physical exercise for people with profound multiple disabilities. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 91, 211–216.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lancioni, G. E., Mantini, M., O’Reilly, M. F., & Oliva, D. (1999). An adapted acoustic orientation system for promoting independent indoor travel and activity in persons with profound multiple disabilities. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 11, 35–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lancioni, G. E., & Oliva, D. (1999). Using an orientation system for indoor travel and activity with persons with multiple disabilities. Disability and Rehabilitation, 21, 124–127.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lancioni, G. E., Oliva, D., & Bracalente, S. (1995a). An acoustic orientation system to promote independent indoor travel in blind persons with severe mental retardation. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 80, 747–754.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lancioni, G. E., Oliva, D., & Bracalente, S. (1995b). Comparison of two orientation systems for indoor travel of blind persons with mental retardation. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 81, 643–650.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lancioni, G. E., Oliva, D., & Ten Hoopen, G. (1997). Spoken messages as auditory cues for orientation in promoting indoor travel and activity by persons with multiple disabilities. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 85, 403–410.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lancioni, G. E., O’Reilly, M. F., Oliva, D., & Bracalente, S. (1998). Guiding a person with blindness and intellectual disability in indoor travel with fewer auditory cues. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 92, 609–614.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lancioni, G. E., O’Reilly, M. F., Singh, N. N., Sigafoos, J., Oliva, D., Bracalente, S., et al. (2007). Orientation systems to support indoor travel by persons with multiple disabilities: Technical aspects and application issues. Technology and Disability, 19, 1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martinsen, H., Tellevik, J. M., Elmerskog, B., & StorlilØkken, M. (2007). Mental effort in mobility route learning. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 101, 327–338.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petry, K., Maes, B., & Vlaskamp, C. (2005). Domains of quality of life of people with profound multiple disabilities: The perspective of parents and direct support staff. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 18, 35–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Redman, B. K. (2007). Responsibility for control: Ethics of patient preparation for self-management of chronic disease. Bioethics, 21, 243–250.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scherer, M. J., Sax, C., Vanbiervliet, A., Cushman, L. A., & Scherer, J. V. (2005). Predictors of assistive technology use: The importance of personal and psychological factors. Disability and Rehabilitation, 27, 1321–1331.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Uslan, M., Malone, S., & De l’Aune, W. (1983). Teaching route travel to multiply handicapped blind adults: An auditory approach. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 77, 18–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uslan, M., Russell, L., & Weiner, C. (1988). A ‘musical pathway’ for spatially disoriented blind residents of a skilled nursing facility. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 82, 21–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zekovic, B., & Renwick, R. (2003). Quality of life for children and adolescents with developmental disabilities: Review of conceptual and methodological issues relevant to public policy. Disability and Society, 18, 19–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Bari, Via Quintino Sella 268, 70100, Bari, Italy

    Giulio E. Lancioni

  2. ONE Research Institute, Midlothian, VA, USA

    Nirbhay N. Singh

  3. University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

    Mark F. O’Reilly

  4. University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

    Jeff Sigafoos

  5. Lega F. D’Oro Research Center, Osimo (AN), Italy

    Francesca Campodonico & Doretta Oliva

Authors
  1. Giulio E. Lancioni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nirbhay N. Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mark F. O’Reilly
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jeff Sigafoos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Francesca Campodonico
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Doretta Oliva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giulio E. Lancioni.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lancioni, G.E., Singh, N.N., O’Reilly, M.F. et al. Self-Management of Orientation Technology and Auditory Cues for Indoor Travel by Two Persons with Multiple Disabilities. J Dev Phys Disabil 20, 129–138 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-007-9084-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-007-9084-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation