Caregivers as Aids to People With Visual Mobility Disability in Interior Spaces in Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore extent to which people with visual disabilities in University of Nairobi use caregivers as aids to mobility and the challenges experienced by both. Non participatory observation method was employed to observe how the visually handicapped interacted with the university built interior spaces. The data collection tools used were desk review of secondary data sources, semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and group interviews. Analysis involved thematic coding and compiling data for the objective. The primary findings showed that there are no clear policies in place on how to accommodate caregivers who assist people with visual disabilities in public university built environments. Some of the challenges identified included navigation problems due to lack of audio signage, design tiles for tapping with navigation stick and also in partly due to lack of clear instructions on accessing services and being unable to read signage correctly by both the disabled and their caregivers. When designing a public university built interior space consultation with all stakeholders is necessary. It is important that consultation with the visually disabled people and their caregivers becomes central to the different stages of the design process. People with visual disabilities can become active participants in university facilities provided they are empowered through universal design and access in those public places