In this paper (he transformed spaces of visually impaired and blind people is explored
through a detailed analysis of interview transcripts with twenty seven visually impaired
people living in or around Belfast. Data were collected using a structured open-ended
interview and were analysed within NUD-IST, a qualitative data analysis package. Analysis
revealed that visually impaired people become spatially confused (e.g. lost or disorientated)
for two primary reasons. "Self-produced" confusion is spatial confusion caused by
the misperception/miscognition of a route (e.g. miscounting intersections). "Situational"
confusion is spatial confusion caused by a permanent or temporary localised occurrences
such as road works, vehicles parked on pavements, and street furniture. Both types of
spatial confusion were found to induce feelings of fear and anxiety, leading to a loss of selfconfidence,
embarrassment and frustration, which in turn led to less independent travel and
exploration, and constrained patterns of spatial behaviour. Respondents detailed a number
of strategies for coping with spatial confusion. In addition, they assessed methods to make
Belfast more navigable including environmental modifications and orientation and mobility
aid