iPhone video link FaceTime as an orientation tool: Remote O&M for people with vision impairment

Two case study participants investigated the effectiveness of the Application “FaceTime” as an O&M tool via the Apple iPhone. The participants included a traveller (blind) who is an experienced long cane and guide dog user; and a qualified O&M instructor. The traveller and instructor tested FaceTime in five varying scenarios including shop identification, product identification in a supermarket, identification of buses at a transport interchange, orientation while free walking in residential streets, and road intersection identification. It was found that the information provided remotely by the instructor enhanced the independence of the traveller since it could not be obtained via GPS or other means.