Clothing Worn by Individuals with Visual Impairments as a Hands-Free Common Platform for GPS WayFinding Systems and Obstacle Avoidance Systems.

This project will focus on research and development to provide individuals with visual impairments a clothing-based platform that supports the function of existing Global Positioning Systems (GPS) way finding systems. The clothing platform will lead to the integration of GPS way finding systems with a clothing-based electronic obstacle avoidance system. The goal of the project is to provide the user with way finding information integrated with obstacle avoidance information on the hands-free platform of the clothing of the user. It is intended that global way finding and local obstacle avoidance will complement one another, thereby increasing community accessibility and integration for the user. The anticipated result of a Phase II study will be a clothing-based platform that supports GPS way finding systems. Under a Phase II project, attention will be directed to the development of a wireless obstacle avoidance device that communicates with a GPS way finding system by wireless connection. The system to be developed will have commercial implications and applications in the area of assistive technologies for individuals with visual and/or hearing impairments.