How technology and design can improve wayfinding systems for people with visual impairments.

Abstract

The main premise of this dissertation is to discuss different ways of guiding visually impaired and blind people in public space. Described topics consist both of solutions already known to the society and commonly used for many years as well as the ones that are the result of a developing world of new technologies. What is more, the thesis lines out the history of wayfinding systems, important terminology, rules of signage placement, and the use of both typography and colours to provide maximum readability to the visually impaired user. The part concerning the technological aspects focuses on solutions that have great potential to safely guide people but are not very familiar to users at large. The choice of the dissertation’s topic was determined by the need to acquaint people with the importance of creating opportunities for everyone to move around safely and independently and also provide them with the tools that make it possible.