Walking Without Sight: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Walkway Accessibility Among Visually Impaired Individuals in Thailand
Keywords:
walkway accessibility, visual impairment, built environment, disability inclusion, ThailandAbstract
Accessible pedestrian infrastructure is essential for ensuring safe mobility, autonomy, and social participation among individuals with visual impairments. However, empirical data on how this population perceives walkway accessibility in Thailand remain limited. This study aimed to assess perceived walkway accessibility among visually impaired Thai adults and identify associated demographic, environmental, and policy-related factors. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from May to June 2025 among 495 Thai adults (≥18 years) with self-reported visual impairment, recruited via purposive sampling from disability organizations, clinics, and online platforms. A structured questionnaire assessed perceived walkway accessibility using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Very Poor to 5 = Very Good), as well as walkway usage, perceived safety, assistive technology use, environmental barriers, and satisfaction with government support. Descriptive statistics and ordinal logistic regression (univariable and multivariable) were used for analysis.
Participants had a mean age of 23.07 ± 7.51 years; 58.2% were male. The mean accessibility rating was 2.96 ± 0.47, with 60% reporting infrequent walkway use. Commonly reported barriers included uneven surfaces (65.3%), physical obstacles (57.0%), and absence of tactile paving (56.2%). In univariable analysis, older age, longer impairment duration, greater severity, and frequent walkway use were associated with lower perceived accessibility, while policy awareness and presence of audio signals had positive accessibility, while policy awareness and presence of audio signals had positive associations. In multivariable analysis, higher perceived safety showed a strong positive association with better accessibility (mOR = 628.58–6920.12; p < 0.001), as did greater satisfaction with government support (mOR = 16.56–78.06; p < 0.01). Conversely, moderate impairment, male gender, regular walkway use, and assistive technology use were negatively associated. Environmental factors were not significant after adjustment. These findings highlight the critical role of perceived safety and public support in shaping accessibility perceptions, emphasizing the need for inclusive urban design and responsive policymaking.
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