Sensory substitution devices are a non-invasive visual prostheses that use sound or touch to aid functioning in the blind. Algorithms informed by natural crossmodal correspondences convert and transmit sensory information attributed to an impaired modality back to the user via an unimpaired modality and utilise multisensory networks to activate visual areas of cortex. While behavioural success has been demonstrated in non-visual tasks suing SSDs how they utilise a metamodal brain, organised for function is still a question in research. While imaging studies have shown activation of visual cortex in trained users it is likely that naïve users rely on auditory characteristics of the output signal for functionality and that it is perceptual learning that facilitates crossmodal plasticity. In this thesis I investigated visual-to-auditory sensory substitution in naïve sighted users to assess whether signal complexity and processing in the auditory system facilitates and limits simple recognition tasks. In four experiments evaluating; signal complexity, object resolution, harmonic interference and information load I demonstrate above chance performance in naïve users in all tasks, an increase in generalized learning, limitations in recognition due to principles of auditory scene analysis and capacity limits that hinder performance. Results are looked at from both theoretical and applied perspectives with solutions designed to further inform theory on a multisensory perceptual brain and provide effective training to aid visual rehabilitation.

A rede metroferroviária é constituída por um conjunto de estações, trens e vias que proporciona transporte de pessoas na região metropolitana. Por se caracterizar como um serviço público deve oferecer condições adequadas de utilização por todos os cidadãos, independentemente de sua condição física ou sensorial. A adaptação das estações e trens existentes, a construção de novas estações acessíveis e a aquisição de novos trens consideraram os avanços tecnológicos e de acessibilidade ao longo dos anos. Apesar disso, o elevado número de solicitações de auxílio por pessoas com deficiência visual pressupõe a existência de fatores que interferem ou impedem o uso independente do sistema metroferroviário. Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo identificar tais fatores e propor recomendações para o desenvolvimento do projeto das instalações e dos serviços oferecidos como forma de melhorar as condições de percepção e facilitar a cognição das pessoas com deficiência visual nas diversas etapas da sua viagem. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualiquantitativa cuja estratégia está baseada na jornada do usuário com deficiência visual em estações e trens operados pelo Metrô na cidade de São Paulo, com diferentes graus de complexidade e condições de acessibilidade. A aplicação de métodos e técnicas da Avaliação Pós-Ocupação gerou evidências para elaboração do diagnóstico da acessibilidade da jornada do usuário, considerando os requisitos legais e normativos, as boas práticas verificadas, os dados levantados junto aos especialistas, pessoas-chave e usuários com deficiência visual. A identificação dos elementos de wayfinding permite dotá-los de características que facilitem sua percepção e, consequentemente, a orientação espacial das pessoas com deficiência visual, proporcionando segurança e independência. A sistematização das recomendações permite sugerir acréscimos às normas técnicas vigentes bem como auxiliar a atuação de planejadores, projetistas e gestores na realimentação do processo de projeto do sistema metroferroviário, relacionando a configuração dos ambientes à gestão das informações e aos serviços ofertados, uma vez que são partes integrantes de um mesmo contexto. / The subway network is constituted by a number of stations, trains and railways which provide transportation for people in the metropolitan region. As a public service, it should offer suitable conditions for all citizens, regardless of their physical or sensory conditions. The adaptation of existing stations and trains, the construction of new accessible stations and the purchase of new trains have taken into account technological advances and accessibility over the years. Nevertheless, the high number of requests for assistance by persons with visual impairment suggests the existence of factors that interfere with or prevent the independent use of the subway system. This research aims to identify such factors and present recommendations for the development of the design of the facilities and services offered as a way to improve the conditions of perception and cognition of people in various stages of their journey. This is a qualiquantitative research whose strategy is based on the journey of users with visual impairment in stations and trains operated by Metrô in the city of São Paulo, with varying degrees of complexity and accessibility conditions. The application of methods and techniques of Post-Occupancy Evaluation provided evidences for the diagnosis of the accessibility of the user\'s journey considering the legal and regulatory requirements, the best practices observed, the data collected by experts, key people and users with visual impairment. The identification of wayfinding elements favors features that facilitate their perception and, consequently, the spatial orientation of people with visual impairment, assuring safety and independence. The systematization of recommendations permits to suggest additions to existing technical standards as well as to assist the activities of planners, designers and managers in the feedback process of railroad transportation system design, relating the configuration of environments to the management of information and services offered, once they are an integral part of the same context.

Submitted by Rosina Valeria Lanzellotti Mattiussi Teixeira (rosina.teixeira@unisantos.br) on 2016-05-23T14:47:18Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Denyse Moreira Guedes.pdf: 8467669 bytes, checksum: 486e7243844f36cbd9f217344e6c1cad (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-23T14:47:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Denyse Moreira Guedes.pdf: 8467669 bytes, checksum: 486e7243844f36cbd9f217344e6c1cad (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-11-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The right to accessibility is universal, fundamental, especially for the visually impaired, solidified the constitutional right to equality and regulated in Brazil in terms of urban accessibility, the Brazilian Standard 9050 of the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT / NBR 2004). The accessibility is minimal and basic rule of citizenship, so that materialized to in article 227, § 2º and article 244 of the Brazilian Federal Constitution. To give effect to these and other constitutional provisions pertinent to accessibility, was published, among others, the Law nº. 6.938/81, 7.853/89, 9.045/95, 10.048/00, 10.098/00 and 10.257/2001, which also tried to ensure the visually impaired person some social integration. Those standards are based on the fundamental human rights enshrined in constitutional provisions and several infra-constitutional norms. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol, signed in New York on March 30, 2007, are incorporated into the Brazilian legal system by means of Decree nº 6.949 of 2009. It has been that it is the only treaty International human rights approved with a qualified quorum, confirming that the state should undertake all efforts to ensure accessibility, in order to promote the equality of all, in compliance with the foundations of the Republic, citizenship and human dignity. However, what still turns out is the existence of built environments and adapted without being subject to universal design, urban public policies exclusive and disordered urban planning measures affecting the mobility, accessibility and sustainability to public buildings and public parks, on public transport and their mutual interactions of the visually impaired. The comparative law has been central to certain bodies of law and the international experience directly influences many internal rules, technical and legal procedures. By comparing the existing systems in Portugal, Spain and Brazil, this study highlights the advance of some Brazilian cities on the accessibility of the visually impaired, above major cities of European countries, particularly capital, where this research was access. The research sought to draw a comparative framework, major advances in the Brazilian and international legislation related to the visually impaired. The proposals were limited to indicate the National Organization of the Blind of Spain (ONCE) as a source of funding to possibly necessary expenses in urban planning in these major cities; Furthermore, also highlighted was a Santos institution, "Lar das Moças Cegas" as a paradigm of the thesis, in view of what we have in our times in terms of accessibility for the visually impaired. / O direito à acessibilidade é universal, fundamental, sobretudo para os deficientes visuais, solidificado no direito constitucional de igualdade e regulamentado, no Brasil, em termos de acessibilidade urbana, pela Norma Brasileira 9050 da Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (ABNT/NBR, 2004). A acessibilidade é regra mínima e básica de cidadania, tanto que materializou-a no artigo 227, § 2° e no artigo 244 da Constituição Federal brasileira. Para dar eficácia a esses e outros dispositivos constitucionais pertinentes à acessibilidade, editou-se, entre outras as Lei nº 6.938/81, 7.853/89, 9.045/95, 10.048/00 10.098/00, 10.257/2001, que também trataram de garantir à pessoa com deficiência visual alguma integração social. Essas normas fundamentam-se nos direitos humanos fundamentais, consagrados em normas constitucionais e em diversas normas infraconstitucionais. A Convenção sobre os Direitos das Pessoas com Deficiência e seu Protocolo Facultativo, assinados em Nova Iorque, em 30 de março de 2007, incorporam-se ao ordenamento jurídico brasileiro por meio do Decreto nº 6.949 de 2009. Tem-se que é o único tratado internacional de direitos humanos aprovado com quorum qualificado, ratificando que o Estado deverá empreender todos os seus esforços para garantir a acessibilidade, para que se promova a igualdade de todos, em cumprimento aos fundamentos da República, de cidadania e dignidade da pessoa humana. Todavia, o que ainda se constata é a existência de ambientes construídos e adaptados sem a observância ao desenho universal, políticas públicas urbanas excludentes e medidas de planejamento urbanístico desordenadas comprometendo a mobilidade, a acessibilidade e a sustentabilidade aos edifícios e logradouros públicos, no transporte coletivo e nas suas mútuas interações dos deficientes visuais. O direito comparado tem sido fundamental para determinados ramos jurídicos e a experiência internacional influencia diretamente muitas normas internas, procedimentos técnicos e jurídicos. Ao comparar os sistemas existentes em Portugal, Espanha e Brasil, o presente estudo destaca o avanço de algumas cidades brasileiras na acessibilidade do deficiente visual, acima de cidades importantes de países europeus, sobretudo capitais, em que esta pesquisa teve acesso. A pesquisa buscou traçar um quadro comparativo, com os principais avanços na legislação brasileira e internacional relacionada ao deficiente visual. As propostas limitaram-se a indicar a Organização Nacional de Cegos da Espanha (ONCE), como fonte de custeio aos gastos possivelmente necessários no planejamento urbano nessas importantes cidades; além disso, também destacou-se uma instituição santista, o ¿Lar das Moças Cegas¿ como paradigma da tese, em vista do que se tem hodiernamente em termos de acessibilidade de deficientes visuais.

Abstract title: Postural deviations and their compensations of blind cyclist Thesis objective: The objective of this thesis is to create a compensatory motional program for a visually impaired client. Compensatory motional program deals with the positive influence of defective body posture and pain alleviation of relevant muscular areas, particularly in the areas of cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. Method: The research method is qualitative examinations by usage of pretest and posttest designs. The thesis is conceived as the case report of a 31-year-old patient with acquired handicap. Exercise in fitness center was selected as part of compensatory motional program with the application of stretching, relaxing and work-out exercise. Additionally, hippotherapy was practiced to improve the stability of individual body areas, as well as to generally enhance the body posture. The testing methods for defective body postures by Jaroš and Lomíček, Matthiase; as well as testing method by Janda, were applied for the verification of program effect. The HHT motor test was applied for the verification of hippotherapy. Results: Compensatory motional program positively influenced the body posture of the clients already after three months of exercise. The integral part of hippotherapy was also the influence of...

Thesis (M.Ed. (Community and Continuing Education)) -- University of Limpopo, 2014 / This research is about establishing the needs and assets of a public adult learning centre for the visually impaired. The research is important because South Africa, as a signatory to the Salamanca Statement on Principles and Practice in Special Needs Education (UNESCO, 1994) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2006 (Väyrynen, 2008), has an obligation to ensure the provision of quality education and training through inclusion. This also includes adult learners. The research emanated from the assumption that Public Adult Learning Centres for the Visually Impaired are not well equipped to provide quality education as envisaged by the Salamanca Statement and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In order to resolve this assumption, a qualitative case study with Bosele Public Adult Learning Centre (BPALC) for the Visually Impaired was designed. The research participants from this centre were purposely sampled due to the importance of their shared experiences and opinions in answering the research question. Multiple perspectives were applied in data collection by means of semi-structured and focus group interviews and documents were examined and analysed to obtain in-depth information about the research. The analysis of the participants’ shared experiences and opinions, combined with observation and data analysis, assisted in deriving at the conclusion that, although Bosele is a Public Adult Learning Centre for the visually impaired, it is still deficient in terms of the capacity to provide quality education as envisaged in the Salamanca Statement and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The learning and teaching support materials are inadequate and have not been modified for many years. The facilitators do not receive the necessary professional support and as such are inadequately prepared to provide quality education to the visually impaired adult learners. The available assets within and outside BPALC are not mapped and therefore not recognized for effective utilization. The teaching, learning and physical environment around BPALC is not conducive to the promotion of quality education for visually impaired adults. iii To respond to the findings of this research, several recommendations have been suggested and an empowerment programme has also been provided with a view to improve the quality of teaching and learning at BPALC. Suggestions for future research topics have also been made in order to close the gap that exists in research for the education of learners with visual impairment.

<p>I detta examensarbete presenteras olika inriktningar av musikterapi och FMT-metoden (Funktionsinriktad musikterapi) belyses ingående. Här beskrivs arbetssätt och arbetsmaterialet nämns. Ett historiskt perspektiv ges både på människor med funktionshinder genom tiderna och på musikterapins utveckling i världen och i Sverige. Olika musikterapidiscipliner presenteras liksom befintliga utbildningsmöjligheter.</p><p> </p><p>Två elever/adepter presenteras och terapin med dessa beskrivs detaljerat. Arbetet tar upp frågan om FMT-metoden måste ändras eller justeras för att kunna användas i terapin med en synskadad person? Kontentan är att det inte behövs några förändringar av metoden för att fungera för adepter med synskada.</p> / <p>This paper presents, in two case studies, the use of Functionally Oriented Music Therapy (FMT- method) with visually impaired students. The therapy with the students is described in detail, along with FMT methodology. The conclusion is that the FMT method does not need any modification when used with visually impaired students.</p><p> </p><p>The field of music therapy in general and the various disciplines are described, along with its history and development in Sweden and the world, The situation of disabled persons is also presented in an historical framework.</p>

I detta examensarbete presenteras olika inriktningar av musikterapi och FMT-metoden (Funktionsinriktad musikterapi) belyses ingående. Här beskrivs arbetssätt och arbetsmaterialet nämns. Ett historiskt perspektiv ges både på människor med funktionshinder genom tiderna och på musikterapins utveckling i världen och i Sverige. Olika musikterapidiscipliner presenteras liksom befintliga utbildningsmöjligheter.   Två elever/adepter presenteras och terapin med dessa beskrivs detaljerat. Arbetet tar upp frågan om FMT-metoden måste ändras eller justeras för att kunna användas i terapin med en synskadad person? Kontentan är att det inte behövs några förändringar av metoden för att fungera för adepter med synskada. / This paper presents, in two case studies, the use of Functionally Oriented Music Therapy (FMT- method) with visually impaired students. The therapy with the students is described in detail, along with FMT methodology. The conclusion is that the FMT method does not need any modification when used with visually impaired students.   The field of music therapy in general and the various disciplines are described, along with its history and development in Sweden and the world, The situation of disabled persons is also presented in an historical framework.

The appearance of the electrical appliances has undergone a dramatic change in many aspects since the 1920&rsquo / s. Throughout years, along with their changed appearance, the way the appliances are perceived has altered. The interface of domestic products is mainly dominated by visual elements. Undoubtedly, the domination of the visual perception in the interfaces of the appliances might cause complications in the interaction between the product and visually impaired users. In this thesis, the interaction between the electrical household appliances and visually impaired user is examined to identify the strong points in the interaction as well as any complications that may occur during the interaction. Observations were conducted with ten users to explore the interaction between the visually impaired users and three electrical domestic appliances: washing machine, vacuum cleaner and iron. The findings of the observations indicate that visually impaired users can operate their appliances, with some limitations. Yet a number of common problematic points related to the interface elements, which hinder from using their electrical appliances with full functionality, were encountered. At the end of the study, a list of design recommendations, some of which offered in the literature previously, are suggested.

Aklųjų ir silpnaregių vaikų integruotas ugdymas yra, pirmiausia, barjerų tarp sveikų ir neįgalių vaikų laužymas, vienodų ugdimosi ir karjeros siekimo galimybių sudarymas. Iškelta hipotezė, kad Lietuvos Respublikoje yra pakankamai priimtų įstatymų bei poįstatyminių aktų kurie reglamentuoja sutrikusio regėjimo vaikų inkliuzyvųjį ugdymą ir sudaro teorines prielaidas sutrikusio regėjimo vaikų inkliuziviam ugdymui LR bendrojo lavinimo mokyklose, tačiau praktiškai daugelis mokyklų dar yra prekliuzijos etape: segreguotų institucijų gyvavimo tradicijos, organizacinės, resursų paramos inkliuziviam ugdymui stoka pačių bendrojo lavinimo mokyklų viduje (kompetencijų, nuostatų, materialinės paramos prasme), per didelis mokinių klasėje skaičius, dauguma mokytojų, dirbančių bendrojo lavinimo mokyklose, nėra pasiruošę ugdyti sutrikusio regėjimo vaikų ir nenori turėti jų savo klasėse, neturi vaizdinių priemonių bei didesnio šrifto vadovėlių ir t.t. Remiantis 1991 metais ŠPI žinybinės specialiosios pedagogikos mokslinio tyrimo laboratorijos mokslinių bendradarbių parengta anketa buvo pateikta silpnaregiams vaikams, jų tėvams, pedagogams klausimai, susiję su požiūriu į integruotą ugdymą bendrojo lavinimo mokyklose. Respondentų atsakymai buvo sugrupuoti į atskirus reikšminius blokus: mokymosi sunkumai ir darbingumas per pamokas, vaikų bendravimo sunkumai, požiūris į silpnaregių vaikų mokymą ir auklėjimą. Duomenų apdorojimui, analizei bei darbe pateiktų lentelių sudarymui naudotos SPSS-PC 11... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Integrated education of blind and visually impaired children at first is breaking the barriers between healthy and disabled children, creation of equal possibilities of education and career aspiration. The hypothesis has been raised that in the Republic of Lithuania there are sufficient number of laws and legal acts (by-laws) that regulate inclusive education of visually impaired children and create theoretical presumptions for inclusive education of visually impaired children in mainstream schools of the Republic of Lithuania, however, in practice many schools are still in the stage of preclusion: traditions of existence of segregated institutions, lack of organizational and resource support for inclusive education in mainstream schools (from the viewpoint of competences, attitudes, material support), too big number of pupils in classes, the majority of teachers who work in mainstream schools are not prepared to educate visually impaired children and do not want to have them in their classes, they do not have visual aids and textbooks with enlarged font, etc. Referring to a questionnaire prepared in 1991 by the fellowship of departmental scientific research laboratory of special education of Šiauliai Pedagogical Institute the questions related to the attitude towards integrated education in mainstream schools have been presented to children with visual impairment, their parents and pedagogues. The responses of the respondents have been grouped to separate notional blocks... [to full text]

Šiomis dienomis ypač didelis dėmesys skiriamas žmonių su negalia integracijai į informacinę visuomenę, o taip pat ir skaitmeninės atskirties mažinimui. Pasaulyje vyrauja nuomonė, kad informacija turi būti prieinama visiems visuomenės nariams, nepriklausomai nuo jų turimos negalios. Todėl magistro baigiamajam darbui pasirinkta tema „Lietuviškų elektroninių parduotuvių prieinamumas asmenims su regos negalia“ yra ypač aktuali. Magistro baigiamojo darbo tikslas yra išanalizuoti lietuviškų elektroninių parduotuvių prieinamumą asmenims su regėjimo negalia. Šiam tikslui pasiekti keliami uždaviniai yra: išanalizuoti elektroninę parduotuvę, kaip vieną iš elektroninės komercijos formų; nustatyti būdus ir priemones, padedančius mažinti žmonių su regos negalia skaitmeninę atskirtį; ištirti lietuviškų elektroninių parduotuvių prieinamumą asmenims su regėjimo negalia. Darbo objektas – elektroninių parduotuvių prieinamumas asmenims su regėjimo negalia. Naudojant mokslinės literatūros ir dokumentinių bei internetinių informacijos šaltinių analizės, dedukcinį bei indukcinį metodus, nustatyta, jog dalis elektroninių parduotuvių yra nepatogios net ir regos negalios neturintiems asmenims. Jose vartotojams sudėtinga rasti reikiamą informaciją, tinklalapių kūrėjų naudojami navigaciniai sprendimai yra neprieinami, todėl siekiant išlaikyti esamus klientus ir norint pritraukti naujų, svarbu prisitaikyti prie įvairių vartotojų grupių poreikių. Nuolatinis vartotojų poreikių stebėjimas, analizė ir... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / These days, much attention is paid to the integration of disabled people into information society and to the digital divide bridging. In the world it is generally felt that information should be available to all society members, nevertheless of their existing disability. Therefore, master work topic “The access to the Lithuanian internet shops for the people with visual impairment” is particularly important. The aim of this master work is to analyze the access to the Lithuanian internet shops for the people with visual impairment. The goals of the work are: to analyze the online shop as one of the forms of e-commerce; to identify ways and means that could help reduce digital divide for people with visual impairment; to explore access to the Lithuanian electronic shops for the people with visual impairment. The object of this master work is the access to the online shops for the people with visual impairment. Using deductive and inductive methods of scientific literature and information resources analyses, it was detected that some of the online shops are problematic to use even to the people without visual impairment. In these shops sometimes it is actually difficult to find relevant information; furthermore Web developers are using inaccessible navigation solutions. Therefore, in order to retain existing customers and to attract new ones, it is important to adapt to different user groups' needs. Continuous monitoring of user needs analysis and endeavor to meet them is one of... [to full text]