시각장애인의 안내견 관련 경험 분석

Abstract

This study examined how guide dog walking affects the walking and movement of blind people in terms of function by tracking and observing the typical daily routine of persons with Visual Impairments living with guide dogs, and analyzed the reactions of people around guide dogs. In addition, through in-depth interviews, it is investigated how cooperative relationships with guide dogs lead to changes in the way of life for persons with Visual Impairments, and analyzed whether they feel changes in social perception and prejudice based on their experiences. The purpose of this study is to provide positive support for the walking and life of persons with Visual Impairments through the results. For this study, two persons with Visual Impairments who are currently using guide dogs based in Gwangju were observed and their daily lives were recorded as a video. Also, In-depth interviews were conducted on the experiences living with guide dogs. The analysis results for this study are as follows. First, persons with Visual Impairments, who are partners with guide dogs trained through the guide dog training process, use the guide dog's functional aspects such as linear walking, direction change, obstacle avoidance, curb cognition, and intellectual disobedience to cooperate with guide dogs. As a result, public facilities, convenience facilities, and public transportation become easier and more available, and the walking of blind people with guide dogs is safer, faster, and mobility is also improved. Second, the blind perceive that walking with guide dogs leads a dynamic life while improving mobility, it is enriching opportunities to participate in hobbies and social life. For this reason, walking with guide dogs is found to have a positive effect on the overall lifestyle of persons with Visual Impairments. Third, there is a clear change in positive perception of walking guide dogs socially. Compared to the past, more basic information and roles about guide dogs are well-known, and persons with Visual Impairments easily feel that the attitude and atmosphere toward guide dogs change positively. Furthermore, as interest in persons with Visual Impairments increases, social perception changes are gradually taking place, and it has been confirmed that such aspects have positive effects on persons with Visual Impairments using guide dogs living as members of society. As described above, it was confirmed that walking using guide dogs is one of the walking methods that can improve the quality of life of and it has been confirmed that such aspects have positive effects on persons with Visual Impairments using guide dogs living as members of society. and reduce social and environmental barriers. In other words, walking a guide dog can be a means of overcoming the disability of the visually impaired. Therefore, social support in various fields for walking guide dogs should be spared. Regular education or publicity should be provided to social facilities, and various related issues need to be exposed to social members to get their constant interest, and national support and system maintenance for dog training should be thorough to lay the foundation for overcoming the disability of persons with Visual Impairments.