Visual Accessibility and Inclusion. An Exploratory Study to Understand Visual Accessibility in the Built Environment.

Current research shows that visual accessibility assessment in the built environment typically considers objectively measurable parameters. However, considering subjective visual perception for architectural characteristics is extremely important. Visual perception can vary depending on environmental factors and personal factors and is particularly relevant for people with low to mild visual impairments. This explorative research studied the current state of the art of tools and systems that support the assessment of visual accessibility and investigated new ways of experiencing visual accessibility in the built environment. After identifying gaps in the current scenario, the Cambridge simulation glasses were selected as a tool to simulate visual impairments and therefore experience visual accessibility in the built environment. A pilot study was conducted by navigating a publicly accessible building and experiencing how clearly visible certain architectural characteristics were, while walking with and ... : This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement N° 846284. ...