Barrier-Free Travel Application for the Disabled in Guangxi

Abstract

This study aimed to: 1) Develop a barrier-free travel application for disabled individuals in Guangxi, 2) Evaluate the quality of the barrier-free travel application for disabled people in Guangxi, and 3) Assess the satisfaction of disabled people in Guangxi with the barrier-free travel application. A quantitative approach was employed, with an initial sample of 400 participants for the development of the application. After the application was completed, 500 individuals with mobility disabilities tested and evaluated their satisfaction. The sample size was determined using Taro Yamane's formula. Data were collected online using the following tools: 1) A survey on travel challenges, restrictions, and demand for tourist attractions for disabled individuals in Guangxi, 2) The barrier-free travel application, 3) An application quality assessment tool, and 4) A satisfaction evaluation survey. Descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, were used for data analysis.

The research on barrier-free travel applications for disabled people in Guangxi revealed three main findings. First, disabled travelers faced significant challenges, including physical barriers and inadequate infrastructure, with a strong demand for more accessible tourist attractions. Second, the barrier-free travel application was of high quality, excelling in performance, online and offline capabilities, user responsiveness, compatibility with assistive devices, and the relevance of its content. However, the user interface could be improved. Third, disabled users expressed high satisfaction with the app, particularly appreciating its relevant content, fast performance, data security, helpful customer support, and ease of use, which collectively enhanced their travel experience. These findings suggest that improving infrastructure and mobile app accessibility could greatly benefit disabled tourists in Guangxi.

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