User-independence in recycling by visually impaired persons

Abstract

To be successful, waste recycling requires the support and participation of different levels and groups of stakeholders. The government, professionals and other stakeholders can take a proactive role in achieving this by encouraging the wider public participation of various user groups as part of their local sustainability goals. However, studies focusing on methods of promoting equal opportunities in recycling to persons with different capabilities, in particular those with special needs, are limited. Among all, few design researchers have examined the physical and perceptual barriers of visually impaired persons (VIPs) face in such participation, or their specific requirements. Evidence that can inform sustainability-oriented environmental management and planning through the participation of VIPs is also limited. This paper presents a case study in Hong Kong. The research focused on review and promotion of the participation of VIPs in recycling. The promotion aimed the self-initiation and decision of the recycling based on the social, cultural and physical preferences and needs of VIPs. Besides general social and design research methods collecting the views and choices of the VIPs, the key research activity was to invite them to participate in workshop. These workshops were also not planned and decided by the researchers. Instead, VIPs were more working as researchers to lead the research project. The findings of the research were insightful in design policy, implementation and management. One of the key findings was the importance of user-independence in recycling. Instead of expecting more on-site human assistance or specially designed and targeted environment and facilities, VIPs prefer an inclusive design for their preferences and needs.

Keywords: Human centred design, user-independence public design, recycling, visually impaired persons

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1004459