Assistive technology for students with visual disability in schools for the blind in Delhi

Abstract

Assistive Technology for Students with Visual Disability in Schools for the Blind in Delhi Background: To understand the awareness and utilization of assistive technology in students at schools for the blind in Delhi. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 250 students selected randomly from 10 blind schools in Delhi. Binocular distance presenting and pinhole vision acuity were assessed using Snellen "E" chart and a multiple pinhole occluder. Students were also interviewed using a questionnaire about 42 assistive devices to understand their awareness and use. Results: Male participants were 72.8%. Of the total, 27.6% students had best corrected visual acuity <6/18 to 1/60, and the rest had <1/60 vision. The awareness about tactile and soundbased technology was good among students: Braille books (98%), Braille slate and stylus (99.2%), handheld audio recorders (77.6%) and screen readers (77.2%). Good awareness was reported for abacus (88.8%), walking long canes (94.4%) and smart cane (89.6%), audible balls (96%), Braille chess (82.8%) and talking watch (98%). Among the students with <6/18 to 1/60 vision, the awareness of visual based technology ranged from 0.8% (typoscope) to 43.6% (video magnifiers). Braille technology was used for reading by 96.4% (books) and for writing by 96.8% (Braille slate and stylus) irrespective of visual status. Other devices were poorly used ranging from nil (typoscope) to 55% (screen readers). The use of math and science learning devices was poor (<20%). Walking canes were used by 59% of students whereas 87.2% students used audible ball for games. Conclusion: The results showed that majority of students used tactile based technology irrespective of visual status.

Barriers to using assistive technology among students with visual disability in schools for the blind in Delhi, India

“…The details about awareness and utilization of assistive technologies are presented in the main paper. [14] Vision status of the students Out of the total 250 students, 69 (27.6%) had binocular presenting or pin hole corrected visual acuity between less than 6/18 to 1/60. This group of students were the potential beneficiaries for vision based assistive technologies (Table 2).…”

“…Further details of the study methodology, results about awareness and utilisation of assistive technologies among students are available in the main paper. [14] The actual figures about awareness, utilisation of assistive technologies are given in Table 3 to provide detailed information. students who had heard of the assistive technology, said they need it, but were not using it (acquainted students).…”

“…Further details were given in the main paper. [14] Ethical approval was obtained from the ethics committee of All India…”

Assistive Technology for People with Visual Loss

“…Evidence shows that the awareness about At for visual problems is significantly low among the eye care professionals, disabled people, even students in schools for the blind especially from low middle-income countries. 13,14 Therefore, this paper will help to improve the awareness about the AT of the visual disability.…”

Assessment of quality of life, mental health and ocular morbidity in children from schools for the blind in North-East India

“…[ 3 4 ] But despite low prevalence, childhood blindness has been given priority in VISION 2020 program due to its high magnitude particularly prevailing in developing countries and the high number of blind years resulting from the same. [ 5 6 ] The problems faced by the child, the burden on their families, society and the impact on the nation have to be considered as most of the blindness in childhood is avoidable, preventable, and treatable if detected at an early age.…”