Seamless Navigation for Persons with Vision Impairment
Tap on the toggle to see how futuristic technology could help Lai Mui navigate around with ease.
Description
Solution
-
64-years-old Lai Mui lives with low vision in her right eye and blindness in her left. Her white cane helps her to travel to work and move around in the community independently.
She relies on the audio signals from traffic lights to know when it is safe to cross. However, the traffic light sounds are only turned on after 7am as it might be noisy for the residents. When she travels to work before 7am, she has to rely on gut feel to cross the road in the silence.
-
A high-tech white cane that interacts with digital guidance panels on pavements and junctions could enhance safe navigation for individuals with vision loss like Lai Mui. Leveraging technology to overcome accessibility barriers can empower persons with disabilities and give them a greater sense of independence and confidence as they move through the world.
Read more about Lai Mui’s story below.
Journey Towards
Independence, Resilience, and Joy
Lai Mui singing with her husband
Lai Mui uses a white cane to navigate her surroundings and works as a receptionist in a school. Despite her visual impairment, Lai Mui exudes a curiosity and kindness that uplifts those around her. Lai Mui lives life to the fullest with her love for swimming, singing, and her dedication to those around her. She is also happily married to her husband, who is also visually impaired.
Navigating Daily Life with a Visual Impairment
Living with low vision means facing daily challenges, particularly with small text and depth perception. “I can’t read small letters, so I rely on enlarged text or thick marker outlines. I mostly use my hearing to get around,” she explained. While her white cane helps with mobility, she still feels anxious on uneven terrain or staircases, especially after experiencing several falls.
A particularly scary moment happened at a busy traffic intersection, where there were 2 traffic light poles close to each other, and she misinterpreted the sound cue. Thinking it was safe to cross, she walked towards the road while cars were approaching. “I only noticed something was wrong when I heard some cars going by. Thankfully, there weren’t too many cars, but it was a close call. Now, I am even more cautious when crossing the road,” she recalled.
Finding Resilience and Independence Through Life’s Challenges
As a child, Lai Mui struggled with navigating around and her studies due to a lack of support for her low vision. It was only in her adulthood, after a personal turning point, that she sought out vocational training, “I enrolled in an association for the blind, learned to navigate safely, and even retook my GCE “O”-levels,” she shared. Through this experience, she not only regained her self-confidence but also met her husband, who was teaching at the school.
Motherhood added another layer to her journey. Lai Mui faced difficulties, particularly with breastfeeding her children, but her determination saw her through. She even picked up swimming together with her children, something that she didn’t know she could do. The sport is now her way of finding joy and calmness.
Lai Mui picking fruit during a family trip
Society’s Growing Empathy
Lai Mui noted a positive shift towards greater understanding and empathy in society. “In the past, I felt that people looked down on me or found me strange for always bumping into things. Nowadays, people are kinder and would even offer help,” she said.
She also noticed more people being curious about her, especially children who would ask her about her eyes. “I used to feel ashamed to talk about my sight, but now I feel more confident to speak about it as I find that there is more acceptance now.”
Embracing Technology
In recent years, technology has become an invaluable part of Lai Mui’s life. “I rely on my tablet for reading, as I can zoom into texts,” she explained.
Audiobooks and screen readers have also opened up new ways for her to connect and engage with the world, enjoy stories and stay in touch with her loved ones.
Lai Mui reading after enlarging font size
In reflecting on the futuristic technology showcased in this campaign, Lai Mui sees its potential for helping those with vision impairments. The challenges of rainy days though remain top of her mind.
“I have to manage my umbrella and belongings, and it can feel unsafe, especially when it’s dark,” she shared. She envisions a white cane with sensors to detect obstacles, making navigation easier in challenging weather.
Lai Mui also imagines devices that could assist or guide her in cooking and baking, both of which she enjoys immensely, “I follow timing rather than sight therefore I hope for a device that can help me improve my cooking skills and confidence in the kitchen,” she said.
An Inclusive Future for All
Lai Mui appreciates Singapore’s strides in accessibility, particularly with tactile floorings and improved infrastructure. However, she hopes for more sound-enabled traffic signals. “During early mornings, the signals are off to avoid noise disruptions, but it’s tough to cross safely without them,” she explained. She hopes that by raising awareness about these needs, a safer and more supportive environment can be created for everyone.
In her ideal society, everyone respects and values one another’s unique strengths and challenges. “Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and with the right support, people with disabilities can live fulfilling lives,” said Lai Mui.
For Lai Mui, true inclusivity is about mutual respect and compassion, where every individual feels they belong and can contribute meaningfully.
Catch Lai Mui’s posters at selected SMRT stations!
