Examining the appropriate level/s of value contrast for partially sighted individuals

The design of the physical environment can enhance quality of life for those who are partially sighted. Loss of vision compromises the independence of partially sighted individuals, making routine activities such as using the stairs, crossing streets, or even cooking for themselves, more difficult and risky to carry out. Light, texture, and color are some of the interventions that effectively enhance the independence and ability of visually impaired people to carry out activities in their environments. Several researchers have focused on such interventions. The focus has been primarily on light; namely, on the appropriate light to enhance well-being and different aspects of performance of individuals with visual impairments (Brunnstrom, Sorensen, Alsterstad, & Sjostrand, 2004; Martiny, Unden, Dam, & Beach, 2005). However, little research has been done to analyze appropriate levels of texture or value contrast. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the appropriate value contrast that is suitable for people with low vision and helps them more readily distinguish objects from their surroundings in public spaces. The study included twenty participants from four locations in Texas: Texas Tech University in Lubbock; Carillon Life Care Community in Lubbock; Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Austin; and Brookdale Shadow Hills in Lubbock. Participants received a two-parts questionnaire: one, a demographic section to record their age, gender, and vision acuity; the other, the main questions related to the given images. The results show that almost all of the participants agreed that good value contrast images were very easy to see. Even though the good value contrast images were the images most preferred by participants, most participants agreed that the medium value contrast images were easy to see. On the other hand, most of the participants confirmed that the poor value contrast images were very difficult to see. This finding supports the study hypothesis, which is that the high to high-medium value contrast would be preferable to people with low vision and would enable better recognition of objects. Most of the participants also indicated a preference for the use of light value over the use of dark value in a built environment.