Mobile assistive technologies for the visually impaired

Abstract

This is the accepted version of the paper.This version of the publication may differ from the final published version. Permanent repository link AbstractThere are around 285 million visually-impaired people worldwide, and around 370,000 people are registered as blind or partially sighted in the UK A . On-going advances in information technology (IT) are increasing the scope for IT-based mobile assistive technologies to facilitate the independence, safety, and improved quality of life of the visually impaired. Research is being directed at making mobile phones and other handheld devices accessible via our haptic (touch) and audio sensory channels. We review research and innovation within the field of mobile assistive technology for the visually impaired and, in so doing, highlight the need for successful collaboration between clinical expertise, computer science, and domain users to realize fully the potential benefits of such technologies. We initially reflect on research which has been conducted to make mobile phones more accessible to people with vision loss. We then discuss innovative assistive applications designed for the visually impaired that are either delivered via mainstream devices and can be used while in motion (e.g., mobile phones) or are embedded within an environment that may be in motion (e.g., public transport) or within which the user may be in motion (e.g., smart homes).

Multimedia Systems for Blind and Visually Impaired Persons

“…Moreover, despite awareness of more accessible devices, some blind users prefer to buy cheaper options. Some of the advanced mobile devices and applications for assistance will be described in the following [13].…”

TABLET E LIVRO DIGITAL: acessibilidade a usuários com deficiência visual

“…Essa citação pode ilustrar o sentimento do usuário com deficiência em relação à tecnologia assistiva (TA), isto é, a necessidade de usar artefatos que possibilitem a conexão com o mundo, seja real ou virtual. A tecnologia assistiva proporciona uma conexão, pois são itens ou partes de equipamentos que possibilitam que indivíduos com deficiências desfrutem de plena inclusão e integração na sociedade (HAKOBYAN et al, 2013). A tecnologia assistiva presente nos celulares e tablets que auxiliam o usuário a se comunicar, ler, navegar, interagir com o meio, a se sentir menos estigmatizado por causa de sua deficiência (HAKOBYAN et al, 2013); pode funcionar como extensão do corpo e dos sentidos.…”

“…A tecnologia assistiva proporciona uma conexão, pois são itens ou partes de equipamentos que possibilitam que indivíduos com deficiências desfrutem de plena inclusão e integração na sociedade (HAKOBYAN et al, 2013). A tecnologia assistiva presente nos celulares e tablets que auxiliam o usuário a se comunicar, ler, navegar, interagir com o meio, a se sentir menos estigmatizado por causa de sua deficiência (HAKOBYAN et al, 2013); pode funcionar como extensão do corpo e dos sentidos. Desta forma, esses dispositivos podem ser considerados como artefatos protéticos, componentes íntimos, partes amigáveis do próprio usuário que se confundem com a estrutura física, promovendo uma nova natureza, uma realidade corporal diferente (SOUZA COUTO, 2012).…”

Pedestrians Mobility on Public Sidewalks Evaluated by the IAAPE Method

“…[13,14], pedestrians flow should not be hampered in cities, thus the importance of thinking about accessible and adequate public sidewalks. In this sense, it is necessary to understand that sidewalk is considered as the "part of the track not destined to the circulation of vehicles, reserved for the pedestrian traffic and, when possible, the establishment of furniture, signalization, vegetation and other purposes" [15].…”