SPATIAL PERCEPTION AND USE OF THE WHITE CANE BY VISUALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS : Analyzing from the viewpoint how totally blind persons use their white cane to orient themselves when walking

Abstract

This research aims to investigate how visually handicapped persons use their white cane to orient themselves when walking, and analyze their characteristic of behavior related to spatial perception from the viewpoint of ecological psychology. We researched 5 totally blind person's action by noting and videotaping when they went to and from their office or trained for walking without guide dogs or guide helpers in their daily life. It was found that the way totally blind persons orient themselves with a white cane differs depending on individual styles. But comparing the technique they acquired in training, we could understand patterns for direction that each visually impaired person developed about orienting themselves in an environment with constant physical objects and various physical objects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)