Affiliations: [a] University of Bari, Bari, Italy | [b] University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA | [c] ONE Research Institute | [d] University of Tasmania | [e] Lega F. D'Oro Research Center
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: G.E. Lancioni, Department of Psychology, University of Bari, Via Quintino Sella 268, 70100 Bari, Italy. E-mail: g.lancioni@psico.uniba.it.
Abstract: Increasing constructive activity engagement and promoting independent indoor traveling are basic objectives within programs for persons with multiple disabilities. Orientation and traveling may be serious problems for these persons, particularly those with visual impairment. To reduce the impact of these problems, orientation systems have been developed. These systems rely on direction cues or feedback cues. The former systems can be plausibly used with persons with very low levels of functioning as they guide (direct) the persons to the destinations without requiring them to take initiatives or make decisions. The latter systems can be realistically used with persons who have initiative in moving towards the destination and are efficient in correcting their direction in relation to feedback. This paper briefly presents basic orientation systems assessed with persons with multiple disabilities, examines strategies (technical solutions) adopted for promoting a self-managed (independent) use of the systems by these persons, and discusses the systems' overall applicability and practicality. Questions for future research are also examined.
Keywords: Orientation systems, direction cues, feedback cues, multiple disabilities
