Egocentric

A spatial reference frame in which locations and directions are defined relative to the observer's own body position and orientation. For example, "turn left," "take one step forward," or "the door is on your right" are egocentric descriptions. People with visual impairments tend to prefer egocentric spatial references for describing and navigating environments, as these map directly to their bodily experience of space. While egocentric references are intuitive for immediate navigation, they are less effective for building comprehensive mental maps of larger environments. Assistive technologies for wayfinding commonly use egocentric instructions (turn-by-turn directions), but research suggests that combining egocentric navigation with allocentric spatial learning — through tactile maps, verbal descriptions, or collaborative exploration — leads to better overall spatial understanding and more flexible navigation.