Personal Space

The invisible boundary surrounding a person that they consider their own territory, the violation of which can cause discomfort or stress. Research by Edward T. Hall defined four distance zones: intimate (0-18 inches), personal (18 inches to 4 feet), social (4-12 feet), and public (over 12 feet). For blind individuals, personal space is often violated by well-meaning strangers who grab their mobility aids, touch them without consent, or approach without verbal warning. Assistive technologies that detect the presence and distance of nearby people can help blind users maintain their personal space boundaries and increase their social autonomy.