Landmark

A distinctive environmental feature used as a reference point during navigation and wayfinding. In Orientation and Mobility training for people with visual impairments, landmarks are categorized by the sense used to detect them: structural landmarks (doors, stairs, elevators) detected through residual vision, cane contact, or guide dog behavior; sound landmarks (fountains, HVAC units, traffic) detected through hearing; tactile landmarks (carpet-to-tile transitions, curb ramps, tactile paving) detected through cane or foot contact; air landmarks (heat from vents, drafts from doorways) detected through skin; and smell landmarks (bakeries, restaurants) detected through olfaction. The choice of useful landmarks depends on the individual's residual vision, mobility aid, and environmental context.