Enhancing Convenience in Daily Living for the Visually Impaired through Technology - Advancements in Technology Simplify Daily Living for the Visually Impaired
In the German state of Hesse, the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, BSBH, serves as a self-help organization and advocate for its 1,600 members. The BSBH's mission is to support and advocate for the rights of those affected, providing advice on mobility, technology, and social issues.
As of the end of 2024, there were 23,540 severely disabled people in Hesse, with blindness or visual impairment being the most severe disability for many. The landscape of visual impairment has significantly changed over the past century, thanks to technological advancements.
One such individual who has experienced these changes firsthand is Karl Matthias Schäfer, who has been blind since birth. Schäfer, a tech-savvy IT professional, recalls the limitations he faced in his childhood due to a lack of Braille reading material. However, technology has played a pivotal role in transforming his life.
Schäfer uses his smartphone camera to scan his surroundings and relies on AI to describe the image. For him, the smartphone is the most important aid today, providing access to communication, navigation, and digital content. Yet, he encounters difficulties with non-smartphone touchscreens in public spaces.
The smartphone is not the only technology that has revolutionized the lives of the visually impaired. The first revolution, according to Schäfer, was the scanner and software that converted text into Braille during his studies in the 1990s. The second revolution, he believes, was the internet and smartphones, providing the blind with access to all knowledge.
An exhibition running this year at BSBH showcases the association's 100-year history and the changes in the lives of the affected during that time. The exhibition includes artifacts such as a white cane, a dog harness, a Braille typewriter, the first iPhone, and a VR headset.
However, despite these advancements, several challenges remain in terms of accessibility. Many specialized devices and technologies remain expensive, requiring training, and are subject to social stigma. Emerging technologies need further maturation and integration to fully support all necessary activities of daily living and professional tasks.
Accessibility gaps also remain on many digital platforms and environments, requiring ongoing improvement of software compatibility and standards to ensure seamless use with screen readers and other aids. Some users may still face difficulties with real-time object recognition or environmental interpretation technologies.
Despite these challenges, technology has undeniably enhanced independence, safety, communication, and creativity for blind and visually impaired people. Ongoing efforts are needed to improve affordability, ease of use, availability of training, and universal design standards for accessibility.
The "Dialogue Museum" at Frankfurt's main station offers an exhibition called "Dialogue in the Dark - an exhibition on the discovery of the invisible" to help sighted people understand the experiences of the blind. As technology continues to evolve, it is hoped that the lives of the visually impaired will continue to improve, offering greater independence and opportunities for participation in society.
References:
[1] World Health Organization. (2021). Vision impairment and blindness. [online] Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/vision-impairment
[2] National Federation of the Blind. (2021). Technology. [online] Available at: https://www.nfb.org/technology
[3] American Foundation for the Blind. (2021). Technology and blindness. [online] Available at: https://www.afb.org/blindness-and-visual-impairment/technology-and-blindness
[4] Royal National Institute of Blind People. (2021). Assistive technology. [online] Available at: https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-sight-loss/technology-and-equipment/assistive-technology
- The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (BSBH) in Hesse, Germany, has a mission that extends beyond mobility and social issues to include advocating for the rights of its members, particularly in the realms of vocational training and science, as they strive for equal opportunities in the health-and-wellness, lifestyle, and technology sectors.
- Despite the advancements in technology that have significantly improved the lives of the visually impaired over the past century, Karl Matthias Schäfer, a tech-savvy IT professional, still faces difficulties with non-smartphone touchscreens in public spaces, highlighting the need for ongoing improvement in accessibility and the universal design of technology, including vocational training and technology resources, to ensure inclusivity for all.
