Mobile assistive technology mapping and integration

Abstract

Assistive technology (AT) is designed to identify and provide individuals with disabilities independence and equal access to interact with their environment. With this type of assistance, people can maximize their independence and their performance of tasks they were not able to accomplish before. The research project illustrated here identifies one approach for an campus accessibility map to allow a population with mobility impairments to improve their daily experience when navigating through the Kean University campus. This project integrates an accessible campus map design with an interactive Android navigation mobile application to permit the identification of convenient accessible pathways within campus. In the project design phase, after a review of available accessibility maps elsewhere, usability studies were conducted in order to ensure that the application will meet the needs of the users. In the development phase, an accessibility layer was created on top of Google maps to display the accessible information on campus buildings, including convenient paths. This two-phase approach provides all students and visitors with critical accessibility information about the Kean University campus, while assisting researchers to design better overall user experiences in human computer interaction.