Resilience to Disruption: Accessible Navigation for People with Visual Impairment

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Authors: Trevor Cross, Ishani Pandey, Sophia S Jit, Robert Soden, Priyank Chandra
Cited by: 1
References: 72

Abstract

People with visual impairments (PwVI) increasingly rely on digital navigation tools to travel independently, yet these tools misalign with the lived realities of navigating unpredictable urban environments, especially during severe weather events. Drawing on a journey mapping workshop, we explore how PwVI combine mobile apps, Orientation and Mobility (O&M) training, and human assistance to build flexible routines that adapt to recurrent disruptions, and prioritize predictability, safety, and confidence over speed. We argue that digital navigation technologies should support resilience through considering interoperability and designing for routine breakdown and multiple temporalities. We further articulate critical design considerations to better align accessible navigation with the everyday practices of PwVI.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Tactile and Sensory Interactions Spatial Cognition and Navigation Innovative Human-Technology Interaction

Publication details

Journal / source
Proceedings of the 2026 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Publisher
ACM
Pages
1–14
Publication date
13 April 2026