Results of a National Survey of Electronic Travel Aid Use

Abstract

Electronic travel aids (ETAs) emit laser beams or high-frequency auditory waves that are reflected from nearby objects. These reflections are received by the ETA and converted to signals that the visually impaired user can perceive and interpret. After reviewing the literature on ETAs, the authors present the results of their survey on the use of and the problems associated with four types of ETAs. They report that the participants in the survey associated aid use with more rapid travel and feelings of safety and confidence in traveling, and that the most frequently used ETAs were the Laser Cane and the Mowat Sensor. These aids were found to be most useful in detecting pedestrians, and obstacles at head and body level.