Orientation to place

Spatial orientation is being able to maintain our body posture or position in relation to the environment around us both when we are moving or still. Information obtained through visual means is the most important of the senses when keeping spatially oriented. Using our senses to judge distance, speed and depth of objects all helps in determining our position in relation to our surrounding environment (Federal Aviation Administration (no date specified)).

Workplace solutions and adjustments

A person who has difficulty with spatial orientation may have trouble moving around the workplace, often bumping into things or having trouble finding their way. They may have difficulty reading and interpreting a road map or navigating in unfamiliar environments.

As spatial orientation is often determined through visual information, for people with visual impairments, consideration needs to be given to ways to facilitate orientation to place. When a person with spatial orientation difficulties commences work in an unfamiliar location or workplace – walk through with the individual and explain verbally the layout of the environment pointing out or physically demonstrating particular landmarks. If a greater amount of assistance is required consider the use of mobility and orientation training which can help people to recognise the best way to get around:

• orientation sessions and training

Consider the use of:

• locator dots
• braille or tactile maps
• floor edging—coloured
• signage—talking signs and verbal landmark systems
• signage—large and reflective

Other supports for spatial orientation can include safety fences or guides as well as:

• rubber edging
• pathways
• ramps
• hand rails

(Federal Aviation Administration (no date specified); Christianson & Baum 1991; Vision Australia 2007).

References

Federal Aviation Administration (no date specified), Spatial Disorientation – Visual Illusions, Federal Aviation Administration Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, Aerospace Medical Education Division, Oklahoma, viewed 24 August 2007, http://www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pilotsafetybrochures/media/SpatialD_Seeing.pdf

Vision Australia 2007, Adding contrast to the edges of steps, Vision Australia, Enfield, viewed 24 August 2007, http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=1478

Vision Australia 2007, Accessible Design for Public Buildings, Vision Australia, Enfield viewed 24 August 2007, http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=721

Christiansen, C. & Baum, C. 1991, Occupational Therapy – Overcoming Human Performance Deficits, Slack Incorporated, New Jersey.