Orientation and Mobility of Visually Impaired Individuals Living in Romania

Introduction: People with visual impairments face a multitude of orientation and mobility (O&M) challenges in various aspects of their daily lives, and their quality of life is significantly affected. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the O&M experiences faced by individuals who are visually impaired in Romania, evaluate their use of assistive technology, assess environmental barriers, and propose potential interventions. Method: This study consisted of a cross-sectional, online, self-administered survey conducted between January and March 2023; with a convenience sample of 199 Romanian individuals with visual impairments; and focused on sociodemographic data, visual impairment status, ophthalmologic diagnosis, and O&M. Results: The mean age of the 199 participants was 39.17 years ( SD = 12.58, range 18–78). Only 20% of participants declared that their income completely covered their needs. More than half of the participants (66.6%) received their ophthalmological diagnosis at birth. Almost 70% of participants mentioned leaving the house daily or almost daily. Yet, 22.8% of them reported asking for someone else's help every time they left the house. When leaving their home, participants reported using mobile telephones with specific technologies (60.3%), a white cane (58.3%), a human companion (11.1%), or a guide dog (4%) for navigation purposes. Many of the participants had concerns about their safety when leaving their homes, especially due to fear of getting injured or assaulted. Discussion: Our study contributes to the limited research done on understanding the O&M experiences of Romanian individuals who are visually impaired. Implications for Practitioners: The study emphasizes the need for O&M training for visually impaired individuals and the integration of assistive technologies alongside conventional mobility devices, which is hypothesized to enhance their independence and navigation, particularly in urban areas, and promote safer and more effective mobility.