The aim of our work was to investigate to what extend the perception of sound and vibration sensations may be useful in spatial orientation and mobility (O&M) of blind and visually impaired persons. Results of a questionnaire addressed to visually impaired persons who move independently in a city are presented.
Analysis of the questionnaire is the first step to work out an innovative, professional, and systematic method of spatial O&M teaching and training in laboratory conditions. A fundamental tool of the method will be a library offering a collection of vibration and acoustic signals characteristic of a city, as well as signals that may be helpful or disturbing for orientation and mobility.