Study
User-Centred DesignRecentStrong effect

Training significantly boosts adoption of assistive navigation apps for visually impaired tourists

Providing targeted training alongside assistive navigation technology dramatically increases the likelihood of visually impaired individuals using and benefiting from it during tourism.

Tourism Review · 2024

01

Key Findings

  • 01Performance expectancy (how well the technology performs) is a key predictor of behavioral intention to use AT.
  • 02Training is a significant new factor that positively influences the behavioral intention of PwVIB to use ATs in tourism.
  • 03The study validated an extended model of technology acceptance, incorporating training as a crucial element.
02

Application

Design takeaway

When designing assistive technologies, especially for niche user groups like the visually impaired in tourism, prioritize robust training programs alongside functional design to ensure successful adoption and user satisfaction.

How to apply

When developing a new app or device for a specific user group, plan for and pilot test comprehensive training materials and sessions alongside the core product.

Project actions

  • 01Consider how users will learn to use your design, especially if it's complex or for a specific need.
  • 02Incorporate user feedback not just on the product, but also on the instructions or training provided.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the impact of training on the acceptance and usage of assistive technology (AT) for indoor navigation among people with visual impairments (PwVIB) in tourism contexts.
MethodQuantitative and Qualitative Research
ProcedureA questionnaire was administered to 128 PwVIB after they evaluated an indoor navigation AT. Data were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Post-evaluation interviews were also conducted.
Sample128 participants
ContextAssistive technology for tourism, smart cities, indoor navigation

Variables

IVTraining (presence/absence or type of training)
DVBehavioral intention to use AT, User satisfaction, Tourism behavior
CVType of AT, User's visual impairment level, Tourism context
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Combines quantitative and qualitative data for a richer understanding.
  • +Introduces a novel factor (training) into a well-established technology acceptance model (UTAUT).

Limitations

It's difficult to isolate the exact impact of training from other factors like prior technology experience or individual learning speed.

Reliability & validity

The study used established statistical methods (EFA, CFA, SEM) to ensure reliability and validity of the measurement model. The inclusion of qualitative interviews adds depth and contextual validity.

Think critically

To what extent does the 'learning curve' for assistive technology vary across different user demographics and types of technology, and how can designers proactively address these variations?

05

Design Principles

"Technology adoption is a function of both perceived utility and user proficiency, which can be significantly enhanced through structured training."

This research highlights that the mere availability of assistive technology is insufficient for adoption. Designers must consider the user's learning curve and provide comprehensive training to ensure technology effectively meets user needs and enhances their experience.

06

What This Means for Your Design

If you're making an app to help people with vision loss navigate places like museums, make sure it works really well and also teach them exactly how to use it. They'll be much more likely to use it if they know how and trust it.

How to use in your project

  • 1.When evaluating your design's success, include measures of user understanding and confidence, not just task completion.
  • 2.Justify the inclusion of user guides or tutorials in your design by referencing the importance of training for technology adoption.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

(2024). Blind indoor navigation app for enhancing accessible tourism in smart cities. Tourism Review. https://doi.org/10.1108/tr-02-2024-0123 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/4d35e5a4-a0f1-4dc3-a9f9-1ea4e85a2d66/training-significantly-boosts-adoption-of-assistive-navigation-apps-for-visually-impaired-tourists

Paragraph starter

The successful adoption of assistive technologies, such as indoor navigation apps for visually impaired individuals, is significantly influenced by user training. Research indicates that providing adequate training alongside a functional product enhances performance expectancy and behavioral intention, leading to greater user engagement and satisfaction within tourism contexts.

09

Source

Tourism Review

Blind indoor navigation app for enhancing accessible tourism in smart cities

journal · 2024

View source

Questions about this research

What does the research say about training significantly boosts adoption of assistive navigation apps for visually impaired tourists?
When designing assistive technologies, especially for niche user groups like the visually impaired in tourism, prioritize robust training programs alongside functional design to ensure successful adoption and user satisfaction. Evidence: Tourism Review (2024).
Why does "Training significantly boosts adoption of assistive navigation apps for visually impaired tourists" matter for design?
This research highlights that the mere availability of assistive technology is insufficient for adoption. Designers must consider the user's learning curve and provide comprehensive training to ensure technology effectively meets user needs and enhances their experience.
How can designers apply this research?
When designing assistive technologies, especially for niche user groups like the visually impaired in tourism, prioritize robust training programs alongside functional design to ensure successful adoption and user satisfaction.
What were the main findings?
Performance expectancy (how well the technology performs) is a key predictor of behavioral intention to use AT.. Training is a significant new factor that positively influences the behavioral intention of PwVIB to use ATs in tourism.. The study validated an extended model of technology acceptance, incorporating training as a crucial element.
What research method was used?
Quantitative and Qualitative Research with 128 participants.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2024 journal from Tourism Review.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When developing a new app or device for a specific user group, plan for and pilot test comprehensive training materials and sessions alongside the core product.
What are the limitations?
The study focused on a specific AT (BlindMuseumTourer) and may not generalize to all types of assistive technologies or tourism scenarios. The sample was limited to PwVIB, and cultural or regional differences in technology adoption were not explored.
Is there evidence that visually impaired affects design outcomes?
Visually impaired individuals are more likely to use navigation apps for tourism if the apps perform well and if they receive adequate training on how to use them. This research highlights that the mere availability of assistive technology is insufficient for adoption. Designers must consider the user's learning curve Source: Tourism Review (2024).
Where does this navigation apps research apply?
Assistive technology for tourism, smart cities, indoor navigation It sits within user-centred design research on designdex.org.

Related research topics

visually impaired design research · evidence on visually impaired · does visually impaired improve design outcomes · navigation apps studies for designers · visually impaired and navigation apps findings · user-centred design research evidence