Editorial

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<italic>Research into human hearing has been ‘laboratory’ oriented in the sense that the test environments do not replicate most ‘real world’ situations (Middlebrooks &amp; Green, <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="j_ijom-2009-002_bib10">1991</xref>). It is difficult to see how such tests accurately represent ‘real world’ situations regarding sound source localisation, recognition, and navigation (walking/way-finding) performance. The research reported here was conducted during the development of an audio-based indoor navigation system. The question that arose was what constitutes ‘good’ attractor sounds versus ‘bad’ sounds? A series of physical experiments were developed to identify sounds that performed best from within a group of ‘real-world’ attractor sounds for navigability, localisation, recognition, and likeability. Experiments results were consistent with those of Landau, Wiener, Naghshineh, and Giusti (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="j_ijom-2009-002_bib7">2005</xref>)</italic>.
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Selecting Attractor Sounds for Audio-Based Navigation by People with Vision Impairments

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<italic>This study examines the performance of participants who are blind and have light perception or less when using a secondary electronic travel aid (ETA) and their primary mobility system (e.g., cane, vs. their performance with a cane, alone). The secondary devices studied were the Miniguide US™ and the K Sonar Device™
<xref ref-type="fn" rid="j_ijom-2009-003_FN1">*</xref>
. The participants’ performance was measured by their ability to detect obstacles on the vertical and horizontal planes; detect drop-offs and curbs; detect and avoid overhead obstructions, and determine natural and man-made landmarks that could possibly be used for orientation. In addition, the variable “speed of execution” was measured. Increased or decreased efficacy between the participants’ performance with their primary system alone and their performance using both their primary mobility system and one of the two secondary electronic travel aids in conjunction were measured</italic>.
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A Comparison of Selected Secondary Electronic Travel Aids with a Primary Mobility System

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<italic>The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the SoundFlash device in enhancing non-visual spatial perception. A mixed-methods, A-B-A-B-A-B research design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the SoundFlash. Three vision impaired individuals participated in the study, which included echolocation training both with and without use of the SoundFlash device. At the conclusion of the study, a focus group was conducted to gather qualitative data from participants. The results of the qualitative portion of the study supported the effectiveness of the SoundFlash, while the findings of the quantitative portion were inconclusive. The SoundFlash might be helpful in improving the non-visual spatial perception abilities of individuals who are blind. Major limitations of this study include the use of a quasi-experimental research design without a control group; a small sample size (three participants); and a researcher-designed assessment tool that was not pilottested prior to use in the study</italic>.
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Effectiveness of the SoundFlash Device in Enhancing Non-Visual Spatial Perception

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<italic>The success of the partnership between a guide dog handler (or owner) and a guide dog depends upon both the suitability of the dog and the skill of the handler in maintaining the relationship. This qualitative study explored the use of guide dogs from the perspective of those who use them as a prelude to a larger scale, quantitative project assessing the matching process and the outcome of the partnership. The data were collected from a focus group discussion from which eight themes emerged. These included: mobility; adjustment to vision loss; advantages and disadvantages of using a guide dog; the matching process; training with the dog; social function, feelings of friends and family; and the outcome of the relationship. In this article, these themes are described and exemplified with extracts from the focus group discussion. The study fulfilled its purpose as an information gathering exercise to further investigate the relationship between guide dog handlers and their dogs, and has added to a small but growing body of literature on the topic</italic>.
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A Focus Group Discussion on Using Guide Dogs

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<italic>A review of the history of the long cane and its evolution into a mobility aid for the 21st Century. The long cane maintains its primary function as a tool for people with vision impairment to move around the environment safely and efficiently. However, the long cane can also be customised to suit personal needs and preferences, including the choice of colour</italic>.
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Colour and Fashion: Evolution of the Mobility Cane

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<italic>Guide Dogs Association of South Australia and Northern Territory (Guide Dogs SA.NT) provides Orientation &amp; Mobility (O&amp;M) programs for people with vision impairment, including training in the use of Electronic Travel Aids (ETAs). Recent developments in wayfinding technology have included introduction of specialised Global Positioning System (GPS) devices for people with vision impairment. This article describes considerations that were made by Guide Dogs SA.NT in selecting wayfinding devices designed for use by blind and vision impaired travellers. Additionally, the way in which these devices have been incorporated into services is discussed, including details of an event to inform the community of this new technology</italic>.
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TrekAbout Adelaide: One Agency’s Experience of Introducing GPS Technology to O&amp;M Services

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<italic>Accessible global positioning systems (GPS) are increasingly popular as an orientation aid for people with vision impairment. Adapted GPS such as the BrailleNote, Trekker, Trekker Breeze and Wayfinder Access are discussed. Limitations of adapted GPS devices for the older user are considered. Major benefits of the older user with vision impairment using GPS include independent mobility, increased confidence in wayfinding and decreased reliance on memory for navigation tasks</italic>.
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An Overview of GPS Systems and Adaptations: Implications for the Older User with Vision Impairment

AHEAD OF PRINT

Volume 14 (2023): Issue 1 (December 2023)

Volume 13 (2022): Issue 1 (December 2022)

Volume 12 (2021): Issue 1 (January 2021)

Volume 11 (2020): Issue 1 (January 2020)

Volume 10 (2019): Issue 1 (January 2019)

Volume 9 (2020): Issue 1 (January 2020)

Volume 8 (2017): Issue 1 (January 2017)

Volume 7 (2017): Issue 1 (January 2017)

Volume 6 (2013): Issue 1 (January 2013)

Volume 5 (2012): Issue 1 (January 2012)

Volume 4 (2011): Issue 1 (January 2011)

Volume 3 (2010): Issue 1 (January 2010)

Volume 2 (2009): Issue 1 (January 2009)

Volume 1 (2008): Issue 1 (January 2008)

Vision Rehabilitation International

Vision Re/habilitation International is a journal intended to provide a forum for scholarly exchange among people dedicated to and involved any work relating to vision habilitation and rehabilitation of people who are blind or vision impaired. Articles considered for publication include:   original research, with practical relevance to the O&amp;M of people who are blind or vision impaired,  critical reviews of substantive areas,  theoretical position papers,  descriptions, reviews, or evaluations of innovative instructional approaches,  conceptual papers, comprehensive reviews, case studies, and policy analyses.  The editors also aim at providing a forum for discourse, debate, and critical analyses on any aspect of O&amp;M, for example, existing philosophies, policy, or practice.  Open Access Policy  This journal provides immediate open access to its content under the Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. Under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license users are free to share the work (copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format), if the contribution is properly attributed and used for non-commercial purposes. The material published in the journal may not be altered or build upon.  ABOUT SOCIETY  Vision Re/habilitation International is supported by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.  Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is the leading provider of Guide Dogs and orientation and mobility services that enable people with vision impairment to travel safely and independently. Each year university trained Orientation and Mobility specialists work with around 4,000 people of all ages to help them achieve their mobility goals.  Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is a Registered Provider under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).  Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process.