State of the art review on walking support system for visually impaired people

The technology for terrain detection and walking support system for blind people has rapidly been improved the last couple of decades but to assist visually impaired people may have started long ago. Currently, a variety of portable or wearable navigation system is available in the market to help the blind for navigating their way in his local or remote area. The focused category in this work can be subgroups as electronic travel aids (ETAs), electronic orientation aids (EOAs) and position locator devices (PLDs). However, we will focus mainly on electronic travel aids (ETAs). This paper presents a comparative survey among the various portable or wearable walking support systems as well as informative description (a subcategory of ETAs or early stages of ETAs) with its working principal advantages and disadvantages so that the researchers can easily get the current stage of assisting blind technology along with the requirement for optimising the design of walking support system for its users

Assessing Dairy Farm Employees Health

This Master thesis evaluates the impact of general health care and eating habits (Study 1), vision care (Study 2), and mental health status (Study 3) on Latino dairy farmworkers lifestyle and work performance in South Dakota. We hypothesized that the health status of dairy workers has a negative impact on the workers’ job performance. In study 1, data from a total of 70 participants were collected, using a face-to-face survey in Spanish, which allowed us to assess various topics and details related to employees’ daily routine tasks, eating habits, and general health status. Furthermore, recommendations to improve general health care were given at an educational workshop at the end of the survey period. The most participants were males (76%); the mean age of participants was 28 ± 1.7 and 34 ± 1.6 for female and male, respectively. The majority of the participants were Mexican (46%) and Guatemalan (44%) workers. The majority (80%) do not have health insurance; over half of them have not seen a physician in the last 3 years, and 65% have not seen a dentist in the last 6 months. Also, over half (53%) of the interviewed workers were overweight or obese (mean BMI = 25.6 ± 4.2 kg/m2). Workers living in the U.S. for up to four years had BMI = 25 kg/m2, whereas the BMI of those who had been in the U.S. for a long time was higher ( \u3e 28 kg/m2). One-third reported sleeping between four to six hours a day and 46% reported eating in restaurants at least twice a week. They usually opted for healthier choices when arriving in the U.S.; however, their food habits change throughout the years with more fast food or frozen food consumption due to their convenience. In Study 2, 90 participants were enrolled for vision screening to identify visual impairments. Demographic data using a survey was collected. Almost one-fourth needed further eye examination and 43% had never been seen by an eye care provider either due to the cost of eye care or due to the language barrier. Among the participants that needed an eye exam, 60% were milking parlor workers. A full detailed report of pupillary diameter, ocular alignment, binocular refraction, and referral recommendation (e.g., anisometropia, hyperopia, strabismus, myopia, astigmatism, and anisocoria) was provided to participants at the end of the study. In study 3, 50 dairy farm employees participated in a Focus Group (FG) for a qualitative study. A total of 7 FG sessions were conducted, 5 FG with 3 commercial dairy farms, and 2 FG in 2 different communities with dairy workers. Transcriptions of the FG were analyzed and coded line by line for each quotation and question using ATLAS.TI software (Scientific Software Development GmbH). Most of the participants were males (88%), and 54% were Mexicans, 30% Guatemalans and 16% other Latin American countries (e.g., El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua). Participants were asked to share stress-causing factors in their workplace, at home, and in their community. Additionally, participants shared information on the strategies they apply or consider useful in reducing stress. Physical changes experienced due to stress, the main causes of their insomnia, and the meaning of stress in one word were included. Results show that over 35 factors were contributing to overall stress at the workplace, at home, and in the community, which were also qualitatively identified. Personal health care and mental health were influenced by individual values, culture, motivation, environment, and community. Overall, employee’s well-being may impact their job performance in a negative way. Strategic workshops designed to promote health education and healthy eating habits for farmworkers are needed in their native language

Housing Design for All? The challenges of ageing in urban planning and housing design – The case of Helsinki

The objective of this study was to gain knowledge on housing design that supports older people in their daily living. Housing design and neighbourhood planning can enhance social and physical activities of persons who live in their own homes at old age or with disabilities. The aim of the study was to explore the design features supporting general wellbeing and independence of older people. The research questions were: Which features of the built environment support activities of daily living, and how urban planning and housing design can support the older population? Three case studies were carried out on the perimeter of Helsinki city centre in a real-life context. The case study areas varied from a standard residential neighbourhood and sheltered housing, to a group home for people with memory decline. The study used qualitative and mixed methods: workshops, observational walking tours, interviews and questionnaires. The participation of older residents was emphasized in all three case studies. They were main informants to gain further knowledge on housing design supporting independent coping during different stages of life. The results indicate that the neighbourhood design, public transport network and proximity of green environments influence mobility and the sense of integration within a community. Moreover, the length of residency was related to the familiarity of the living environment, which gave residents a sense of security, and supported their activities of daily life. Furthermore, the results show that older residents preferred the local services that were the most accessible ones. Comprehensive design and a versatile environment with various activities may promote Ageing in Place policies and enhance cross-generational social encounters. Moreover, many obstacles caused by reduced physical and sensory functioning capacities can be lessened by applying Universal Design of the built environment. Architects and urban planners have a major role in designing the city and ensuring that it does not exclude any resident groups. Mainstream housing developments with attention to a variety of resident groups will enhance living at home at old age. Moreover, frail people with high care needs should experience being part of community life. Collaboration with local service providers, schools, cafés and restaurants may enable to providing a variety of activities to the residents in sheltered housing.Tämän tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli syventää tietoa arjen ympäristön suunnitteluratkaisuista ikääntyneen väestön näkökulmasta. Asuntosuunnittelun ja yhdyskuntasuunnittelun avulla voidaan vaikuttaa ikääntyneiden mahdollisuuksiin asua omassa kodissaan ja olla aktiivisesti osallisina asuinalueellaan. Tavoitteena oli tarkastella suunnitteluratkaisuja, jotka vaikuttavat asukkaiden hyvinvointiin ja itsenäiseen asumiseen toimintakyvyn heiketessä. Tutkimuskysymykset olivat: Mitkä rakennetun ympäristön ominaisuudet edistävät arjen toimintoja, ja miten asuntosuunnittelun ja yhdyskuntasuunnittelun keinoin voidaan tukea ikääntyvää väestöä? Tutkimus käsittää kolme tapaustutkimusta Helsingin alueella. Tapaustutkimukset sijoittuvat normaalille asuinalueelle, tavalliseen palveluasumiseen ja muistioireisten ryhmäkotiin. Tutkimuksessa käytettiin laadullisia tutkimusmenetelmiä, asukas työpajoja, havainnointia sekä haastatteluita ja kyselyitä. Ikääntyneet asukkaat osallistuivat tutkimukseen jakaen tietoa ja kokemuksiaan asuinalueensa ominaisuuksista. Näin tuotettiin tietoa rakennetun ympäristön tuomista haasteista ikääntymisen eri vaiheissa. Tulokset osoittavat, että asuinalueen suunnittelun, julkisen liikenteen sekä viheralueiden läheisyyden avulla voidaan tukea ikääntyneiden liikkumista ja osallisuutta omaan asuinyhteisöönsä. Asuinalueen tuttuus vaikutti siihen, kuinka turvalliseksi liikkuminen asuinalueella koettiin. Turvallisuuden tunne puolestaan tuki asukkaiden omatoimisuutta ja arjen asiointia alueella. Tulokset myös osoittavat, että ikääntyneet valitsivat ne palvelut, jotka olivat helposti saavutettavia ja esteettömiä. Asuinalueen kokonaisvaltaisella suunnittelulla voidaan tukea omassa kodissa ikääntymistä ja eri-ikäisten asukkaiden kohtaamisia asuinalueella. Kaikille soveltuva asuntoalueiden suunnittelu edistää ikääntymistä omassa kodissa sekä vähentää ulkopuolisen avun tarvetta. Paljon tukea arjessaan tarvitsevat ikääntyneet henkilöt tulee myös ottaa mukaan asuinyhteisöihin. Asumispalveluiden piirissä olevien henkilöiden osallisuutta voidaan tukea yhteistyöllä paikallisten toimijoiden ja palveluntuottajien kanssa. Arkkitehdit, kaupunki- ja liikennesuunnittelija ovat tärkeässä asemassa luomassa kaupunkiympäristöä, joka ei sulje pois mitään asukasryhmiä. Tämä tutkimus tuo uutta tietoa siitä, miten suunnittelussa voidaan huomioida myös ikääntyneet asukkaat

Multi-dimensional impact of COVID-19 on active mobility in urban China: a scoping review of empirical knowledge

Active mobility, such as cycling and walking, is assuming a growing significance in the daily lives of urban residents in China due to its positive impact on health and the environment. The impact of the COVID-19 epidemic has elicited significant changes in behaviors, perceptions, and intellectual viewpoints in this domain, potentially altering residents’ physical activities in the long-term. This scoping review seeks to delve into the multi-dimensional influence of the epidemic on active mobility in urban China. A thorough investigation of English and Chinese studies up to January 2024 was conducted, drawing from articles in Web of Science and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure. Only empirical studies providing knowledge into this subject were selected in the review, which comprised 20 studies in total. This review indicates that the influence of COVID-19 on active urban mobility in China has exhibited contradictory outcomes in terms of behavior. Besides, the experiences during the epidemic have significantly shaped citizens’ attitudes and understanding of active mobility. The repercussions of the epidemic and the ensuing restrictions exacerbate the existing challenges faced by women, particularly those who are married, the older adult, and individuals with low incomes. The results exhibit both resemblances and idiosyncrasies when juxtaposed with prior research conducted in different nations. This analysis also offers valuable insights for improving active mobility across individual, organizational, and socio-political realms. The current state of empirical understanding in this field underscores the need for further research endeavors employing diverse methodological approaches and increased emphasis on the transformations anticipated in the post-epidemic era

Wearable obstacle avoidance electronic travel aids for blind and visually impaired individuals : a systematic review

Background Wearable obstacle avoidance electronic travel aids (ETAs) have been developed to assist the safe displacement of blind and visually impaired individuals (BVIs) in indoor/outdoor spaces. This systematic review aimed to understand the strengths and weaknesses of existing ETAs in terms of hardware functionality, cost, and user experience. These elements may influence the usability of the ETAs and are valuable in guiding the development of superior ETAs in the future. Methods Formally published studies designing and developing the wearable obstacle avoidance ETAs were searched for from six databases from their inception to April 2023. The PRISMA 2020 and APISSER guidelines were followed. Results Eighty-nine studies were included for analysis, 41 of which were judged to be of moderate to high quality. Most wearable obstacle avoidance ETAs mainly depend on camera- and ultrasonic-based techniques to achieve perception of the environment. Acoustic feedback was the most common human-computer feedback form used by the ETAs. According to user experience, the efficacy and safety of the device was usually their primary concern. Conclusions Although many conceptualised ETAs have been designed to facilitate BVIs' independent navigation, most of these devices suffer from shortcomings. This is due to the nature and limitations of the various processors, environment detection techniques and human-computer feedback those ETAs are equipped with. Integrating multiple techniques and hardware into one ETA is a way to improve performance, but there is still a need to address the discomfort of wearing the device and the high-cost. Developing an applicable systematic review guideline along with a credible quality assessment tool for these types of studies is also required. © 2013 IEEE

Walking as an approach to the socially-ecological transformation of inclusive urban mobility systems: An explorative case study involving disabled people in Berlin

The worsening climate crisis calls for restructuring mobility systems and urban infrastructure. One goal of the socio-ecological transformation in the mobility sector is to promote walking. Measurements of pedestrian friendliness are summarised under the term walkability or walkability index, but they mostly lack the perspectives of people with disabilities. To address this gap, five mobile interviews with disabled people in Berlin were conducted to identify specific barriers, perceived safety risks, and well-being, which have remained unconsidered in recent measurements. Curb ramps, ground conditions, tacticle walking surface indicators, parking cars, other road users, and noise were the most important factors that should be integrated into further concepts of walkability indices. The study also shows how disabled people are discriminated against by urban infrastructure and how this affects their mobility and well-being

Full Issue: Fall 2021

Disruption has taken on positive connotations when it comes to innovating everything from communication technology to business structures. COVID-19, however, forced disruptions across all aspects of life as we knew it. This issue of DePaul Magazine features a special report on how four sectors—transportation, hospitality, entertainment and education—have reacted to the challenges wrought by the pandemic. We also take a look at a documentary produced by an alumna to showcase the charitable work of a Honduran nun. Finally, we update two programs previously covered in DePaul Magazine to see what progress they have made since they were first launched

Otras Perspectivas (Other Perspectives), Volume 17, Issue 01, January 2016

Acknowledging that the success of the Occupational Therapy Program hinges on the mutual investment of community and friends beyond the local community, the UNM Occupational Therapy Program faculty and staff have initiated this newsletter. The goal is to provide an additional forum for communication, and provide updates about the program\u27s development, faculty, students, alumni, and friends