Transportation: An Electronic Survey of Persons who Are Blind or Have Low Vision

Abstract

Introduction Individuals who are blind or have low vision (hereafter, visually impaired) encounter transportation barriers that impede their full participation in life activities, including transportation. This survey is the first national survey to focus specifically on the transportation issues of persons with visual disabilities. Methods A transportation survey was developed and disseminated electronically to people who are visually impaired. The first administration, in the fall and winter of 2013, went to persons in a volunteer registry. For the second administration, in early 2014, participants were recruited through electronic postings and e-mails with assistance from consumer groups and professional organizations. The combined useable sample of 492 included individuals with legal blindness ( n = 265), total blindness ( n = 188), and low vision ( n = 39). Results Participants were likely to have received orientation and mobility (O&M) training, and were confident in their O&M skills. They were also likely to have access to public transportation, to use public transportation to get to work, and to be generally satisfied with how they got to work. Transportation issues were less likely to impact participation in employment than several other life activities. Although most participants had received services from vocational rehabilitation agencies, few said those agencies assisted them in finding transportation to work. Discussion Although transportation issues affect the lives of persons with visual disabilities, the extent of their impact on employment remains unclear. Survey respondents appear to be using their O&M skills, to be fairly comfortable traveling, and to be generally satisfied with how they travel to work, thus confirming the importance of receiving quality O&M instruction. Implications for practitioners Service providers should consider evaluating the effect that transportation issues are having on the lifestyles of consumers. Individuals with visual impairments should be encouraged to take advantage of quality O&M instruction so that they can confidently access public transportation systems. More active rehabilitation practitioner participation in assisting consumers locate employment-related transportation is suggested, and evaluating the effect of that assistance would prove helpful.

Relationship of Employment Barriers to Age of Onset of Vision Loss

“…Data for this study are from a national transportation survey conducted by the National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision which included 492 participants from the United States who were age 18 years or older. The national survey was administered at two time points to two separate participant groups, and the survey was revised for the second administration (Crudden et al, 2017; Crudden et al, 2015). The first administration of this survey, which was from September to November 2013, included a question about barriers to employment.…”

“…The first administration of this survey, which was from September to November 2013, included a question about barriers to employment. For more information about the development of the survey instruments and administration, see Crudden et al (2017) and Crudden et al (2015).…”

“…However, some employment barriers are more specific to the population that is visually impaired such as lack of access to print (Crudden et al, 1998; Crudden et al, 2005; Rumrill et al, 1998). Even though research has investigated ways to mitigate some of these employment barriers including negative employer attitudes (McDonnall & Crudden, 2018) and transportation (Crudden, 2015; Crudden et al, 2015), they are still prevalent.…”

Transportation self-efficacy and employment among individuals with visual impairments

“…A number of strategies have been used by persons with visual impairments to overcome employment-related transportation barriers, including relocation, riding with co-workers, using private transportation systems, and hiring drivers (Crudden, Sansing, & Butler, 2005). In a national survey of persons who are blind or visually impaired, the most common method of getting to work was public transportation, followed by paratransit, walking, or having a spouse or family member provide transportation (Crudden et al, 2015).…”

“…These transportation struggles can profoundly impact the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired (Rosenblum & Corn, 2002). Although transportation issues have been investigated in previous research focusing on individuals with visual impairments (Crudden, 2015;Crudden & McBroom, 1999;Crudden, McDonnall, & Hierholzer, 2015;Crudden & Sansing, 2011;Joseph & Robinson, 2012;Wolffe, 1999), transportation self-efficacy (i.e., having confidence in the ability to plan and use transportation) has received little attention to date.…”