ORIENTATION AND SAFE MOBILITY SKILLS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
Keywords:
visual prompt cards, safe pedestrian behavior, educational intervention, urban road safetyAbstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention program based on visual cue cards for developing safe pedestrian behavior skills in an urban environment. A pre-test/post-test research design was employed, incorporating a structured educational intervention followed by practical application in a real-world setting.
The intervention integrated visual supports, modeling of appropriate behaviors, guided practice, and positive reinforcement. Analysis of the findings demonstrated significant improvements across all assessed outcome measures. The greatest gains were observed in compliance with the safety rules "Stop before crossing," "Look left–right–left," and "Do not use a mobile phone while crossing" (+45%), as well as adherence to traffic light signals (+43%) and the correct use of pedestrian crossings (+40%).
A substantial reduction in the need for prompts (–65.6%) and a decrease in reaction time (–41.5%) were also recorded, indicating greater independence and more efficient recognition of hazardous traffic situations. The proportion of participants demonstrating safe pedestrian behavior increased from 38% at baseline to 86% following the intervention. Data obtained from the five-point performance rating scale further confirmed a marked improvement in the participants' ability to perform the target behaviors independently and safely.
The findings suggest that the integration of visual cue cards, practical training, and positive reinforcement constitutes an effective approach for developing sustainable safe pedestrian behavior skills in authentic urban settings. Although the study is limited by the absence of a control group and the lack of long-term follow-up, it provides evidence supporting the practical applicability of this instructional model and its potential to enhance both safety and independence among participants.
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