Presentation
Exploring Transportation Challenges among Adults Aging with Long-Term Vision Impairment
SessionLBR1: Late-Breaking Results
Event Type
Late Breaking Results
Aging
Education
Health Care
Human AI Robot Teaming (HART)
Surface Transportation
TimeThursday, October 13th8:30am - 8:45am EDT
LocationL405/L406
DescriptionA recent U.S Census American Community Survey (2018) revealed that nearly 6% of older Americans (over age 65) reported having a vision impairment. People aging with vision impairment may experience challenges with transportation, which can inhibit their community mobility and participation in society. However, we do not have a detailed understanding of the nature of their challenges that can guide system redesign and supportive tools. We conducted a needs assessment to understand transportation challenges for persons aging with vision impairment across different modes of public and private transportation. Using data from the Aging Concerns, Challenges, and Everyday Solution Strategies (ACCESS) interview study, we analyzed transportation challenges among older adults (N=60; ages 60-79) who identified as having a vision impairment prior to the age of 50. The analysis focused on 7 different modes of transportation (i.e., driving, flying on an airplane, getting a ride from family and friends, arranging transportation via taxi or rideshare, riding a train or subway, riding a bus, and walking). We present participants’ transportation challenges, which were coded into categories (e.g., need for assistance from others, visual challenges, technology, accessibility), along with illustrative, example quotes from users. The detailed insight from the interview data identified unmet user needs and highlight opportunities for design and technology innovation to improve transportation access and usability.
Authors
Research Assistant
Research Scientist
