Using Data to Describe Community Mobility for Individuals with Cognitive Disabilities
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Date
2021-08
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Publisher
The Ohio State University
Abstract
Objective: To describe usage patterns, utilization, and user interaction of a personal navigation
smartphone application, WayFinder 3.
Introduction: Transportation for individuals with cognitive disabilities presents several
challenges. One potential solution to alleviate these barriers could be the use of mainstream
technology such as a smartphone. One smartphone application that includes features to meet the
personal navigation needs of individuals with disabilities is WayFinder.
Methods: As a sub-component of the Mobility Assistance for People with Cognitive Disabilities
(MAPCD) project, this descriptive study retrospectively described and categorized trip data from
the implementation phase of the MAPCD project.
Results: Data from the SMART (Specialized Media for Assistive Route Travel) Travel
Manager, an online portal that allows a caregiver or community specialist to track a traveler in
real-time while they are taking a trip using the WayFinder app, were evaluated on an individual
basis to determine trip-end status and trip interaction types. The three trip-end statuses identified
were completed, cancelled, and in-progress and the three trip interaction types identified were
high user interaction, low user interaction, and other. The most common trip-end status for trips
taken by travelers was cancelled, followed by completed and in-progress, and the most common
trip interaction type taken by travelers was low user interaction, followed by other and high user
interaction.
Discussion: A method for categorizing trips was developed based on percentages of user
interaction with waypoint notifications. By measuring user interaction and usage patterns of the
WayFinder app, it can help determine if the app was effective in helping individuals travel in
their communities. However, this metric for categorizing user interaction with trips is not the
only method that should be used when determining perceived benefit of the WayFinder system.