THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VIBRATION INTEGRATED SYSTEM IN OPERATING NAVIGATIONAL SENSORS (VISIONS) TO VISUALLY IMPAIRED CITIZENS IN BULACAN AND PAMPANGA PROVINCES

Abstract

Visual impairment remains a global challenge, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. While existing assistive tools such as smart canes and guide dogs offer support, they also present certain limitations. To address these shortcomings, the researchers proposed VISIONS—a wearable navigation aid that integrates an Arduino Uno microcontroller, ultrasonic sensors, and vibration motors into a jacket. This system provides tactile navigational cues to alert users of nearby obstacles, enhancing mobility and safety for individuals with visual impairments. This research employed a sequential embedded experimental mixed methods design to evaluate the effectiveness of the Vibration Integrated System in Operating Navigational Sensors (VISIONS) in providing directional cues to visually impaired individuals in the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga, Philippines. The quantitative component examined factors such as accuracy, precision, and user satisfaction, which contribute to the overall effectiveness of VISIONS. The qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.  Testing was conducted in three phases: Phase 1 was carried out by the researchers, while Phases 2 and 3 involved 15 visually impaired participants. Each phase included a series of tests to assess the device’s ability to detect both stationary and moving objects, as well as to gather subjective feedback on the design and usability of VISIONS. Following meticulous experimentation, the quantitative data revealed that VISIONS achieved an overall effectiveness rate of 87.66%. The qualitative data reflected high participant satisfaction and reinforced the findings from the quantitative portion. Participants highlighted the device’s comfort, fashionability, wearability, dependability, functionality, affordability, and reliability, further supporting VISIONS as a promising assistive tool for individuals with visual impairments. These findings support the study’s alternative hypothesis, confirming the effectiveness of VISIONS in assisting visually impaired individuals by providing accurate and precise navigational support, while also ensuring user satisfaction with its design. In conclusion, the adoption of VISIONS by the visually impaired community is strongly encouraged, as it has the potential to enhance mobility, promote independence, and improve overall well-being by facilitating safer and more confident navigation in the outside world.