In this dissertation, we introduce comprehensive validation frameworks for indoor navigation systems for blind and visually impaired (BVI) users that include: 1) rigorous virtual reality based system validation framework used during system development obtained by building a virtual environment and virtual user that reflects BVI user capabilities, 2) spatial-temporal-textual framework that provides a detailed analysis of spatial-temporal user comments collected from the BVI users during the trials, and 3) The simulation framework that provides cost-effective means to evaluate indoor navigation systems for different user groups (e.g., users with visual impairment), various positioning techniques, and navigation instructions algorithms. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first frameworks developed and tested for this purpose. The proposed frameworks constitute a significant step towards the development of cost-effective indoor wayfinding solutions for BVI users. These frameworks are demonstrated using the PERCEPT indoor navigation system for BVI users.