Using virtual reality to enhance mobility, safety, and equity for persons with vision loss in urban environments

Using virtual reality to enhance mobility, safety, and equity for persons with vision loss in urban environments | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Using virtual reality to enhance mobility, safety, and equity for persons with vision loss in urban environments Fabiana Sofia Ricci, Charles K Ukegbu, Anne Krassner, Sanjukta Hazarika, and 3 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5434781/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 27 Feb, 2025 Read the published version in Journal of Urban Health → Version 1 posted 5 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study explores the use of virtual reality (VR) as an innovative tool to enhance awareness, acceptance, and understanding of accessibility for persons with vision loss (VL). Through a VR-based workshop developed in collaboration with New York City's Department Of Transportation, participants experienced immersive simulations of VL and and related immersive mobility challenges. The methodology included pre- and post-intervention questionnaires, assessing changes in participants’ knowledge, confidence, and perception. Participants included urban planners, designers, and architects. Results showed a significant increase in awareness of VL-related challenges that affect design guidelines, as well as improved confidence in addressing such challenges. Participants also expressed strong support for VR as a pedagogical tool, noting its potential for reshaping professional practices, improving capacity building, and enhancing inclusive design. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of VR as an experiential learning platform, fostering empathy and a long-term commitment to integrating VL considerations into urban design. These findings highlight the transformative potential of VR in advancing equity and accessibility in urban environments. Accessibility inclusive design urban navigation vision loss workshop Full Text Supplementary Files InterviewS1.pdf Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 27 Feb, 2025 Read the published version in Journal of Urban Health → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revise and resubmit 23 Dec, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 11 Dec, 2024 Reviewers invited by journal 06 Dec, 2024 Editor assigned by journal 12 Nov, 2024 First submitted to journal 11 Nov, 2024 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-5434781","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":377312691,"identity":"671ec971-a4e3-4e0e-aa8c-bd3b122b191b","order_by":0,"name":"Fabiana Sofia Ricci","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"New York University Tandon School of Engineering","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Fabiana","middleName":"Sofia","lastName":"Ricci","suffix":""},{"id":377312692,"identity":"6ee9b1c5-f218-4f02-93f5-746c7ca4e3f4","order_by":1,"name":"Charles K Ukegbu","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"NYC DOT: New York City 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