Assessment Criteria and Capability Scores for Visual Functions from Inclusive Design Perspectives

Abstract

With the ageing globe and the movement towards social integration, there is pressing need for more tools to aid in inclusive design. As an effort to stimulate inclusive design, this study focused on developing assessment criteria for visual function abilities that are more accessible to designers. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 51 ophthalmologists. Despite the sample size ( >30), due to the non-normal distribution of data, non-parametric statistics were employed and medians were adopted as representative scores of the assessment criteria having strong reliability for ranking the respondents. Consequently, an assessment tool was developed with 17 criteria (divided into visual acuity, visual field, and color vision) along with capability scores. To make the criteria more accessible, this study endeavored to expand the coverage to mild impairments, provide numerical capability scores by criteria, and adopt descriptions reflecting everyday activities. In this study, a dichotomous perception between ‘legally blind’ and ‘legally sighted’ was found. In future studies, in order to offset this deficit of perception, an ergonomic approach based on mechanical measures can also be considered.