Study seeks to make wayfinding easier for those with special needs

Finding your way in a new setting – whether it’s an office, airport or hospital – can be challenging for anyone. 

For those dealing with issues such as visual impairment or needing wheelchair access, the challenge can be even greater. 

That’s why Lehigh University and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation are working together to develop a smartphone-based indoor navigation app designed to help everyone — regardless of ability — navigate and explore healthcare facilities and other locations more independently and efficiently.  

Known as MABLE Maps, the app is designed to bring together the clinical experience of the staff at Good Shepherd, with the technology being developed by Lehigh to offer practical wayfinding solutions that can be tested in real environments. 

The study is being conducted at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation – Hyland Center at 850 South 5th Street in Allentown. 

Through the research study that is currently underway, volunteer participants will provide feedback on the technology that the researchers hope will help shape the future of accessible navigation, especially in healthcare facilities. 

“GPS is not always accessible in an indoor environment,” said Malik Normuradov, project manager for the MABLE Maps study. “That can be a real disadvantage for those with disabilities. We’re trying to provide practical solutions.” 

He explained MABLE provides a detailed map of a building that works around different needs instead of deciding one size fits all. 

Wayfinding can be customized for specific needs whether it’s assisting someone in a wheelchair, using a walker or with low or no vision. 

“It does reduce the anxiety knowing whether there are accessible entrances and restrooms,” Normuradov said. 

The app can track where the person is in the building, paired with a map of the facility to help guide them to the office they need to go to, or the service they need to find, based on the special needs they have. 

“There is a floor plan that creates a camera visual model, and the server will recognize where they are — providing directions from there,” he said. 

Devin Darby, an occupational therapist with Good Shepherd, gave an example of how the system is helping one of the study participants. 

She described him as an adult male who is recovering from a stroke. 

Before the app, his mother would have to bring him to appointments – escorting him directly to the medical office he needed to get to. 

Using MABLE Maps, the man is able to navigate inside Good Shepherd on his own. 

“His mother doesn’t need to come in. She can drop him off and he will be able to manage his navigation independently,” Darby said. 

She said that allows his mother to stay in the car and read or take a nap or run other errands while her son is in his appointment. 

“They can have the confidence that he can get where he’s going without any help,” Darby said. 

Normuradov said that while the study at Good Shepherd is concentrating on health care facilities and people with special needs, the ultimate goal is to be able to create a system that can be customized to any sort of facility, such as an airport or office building, and can be used with people of any ability level, even if they don’t have special needs. 

The Good Shepherd study is a strong jumping off point for that, he said. 

The study is still looking for volunteers to help test the app at Good Shepherd. 

Participants need to be 18 years of age or older and not already be familiar with the entire layout of the Hyland Center. 

Participants need to be able to move independently without assistance, provide informed consent, and feel comfortable using a smartphone. 

Anyone interested can get more information by contacting [email protected].