What do people use when they are blind? A comprehensive guide to assistive technology

According to the World Health Organization, at least 2.2 billion people have a near or distance vision impairment. To navigate daily life, people who are blind or visually impaired use a wide range of assistive technologies and tools, from traditional white canes and guide dogs to modern screen readers and advanced AI-powered wearable devices. These solutions help individuals with vision loss to achieve greater independence, access information, and interact with the world around them.

Quick Summary

Individuals with blindness or low vision rely on various aids for daily tasks. These include orientation and mobility tools like white canes and guide dogs, digital access technologies such as screen readers and refreshable braille displays, and a growing suite of mobile applications designed for assistance.

Key Points

• Screen Readers: Software that reads digital text aloud for computers and mobile devices, enabling full access to digital content.

• White Canes and Guide Dogs: Traditional, effective mobility aids for independent navigation and safety in various environments.

• Braille Technology: Includes refreshable Braille displays for tactile reading of digital content and embossers for printing physical Braille documents.

• Accessible Mobile Apps: Smartphone applications like Seeing AI and Be My Eyes offer real-time assistance with tasks like reading text or getting help from a volunteer.

• Wearable AI Devices: High-tech glasses like OrCam MyEye provide instant audio descriptions of surroundings, text, and faces.

• Magnification Tools: Software and handheld electronic devices enlarge text and images, assisting people with low vision.

• Non-Optical and Low-Tech Aids: Simple but effective tools, such as tactile markers, large-print items, and talking devices, assist with daily tasks.

Orientation and mobility aids

Mobility is a key area of independence for people who are blind or have low vision. Various tools have been developed to enhance safe and confident travel.

Common mobility aids include:

• White Canes: An internationally recognized symbol, the long white cane helps users detect obstacles, changes in terrain, and curbs. Different types exist, including support canes for balance and identification canes for signaling vision loss to others.
• Smart Canes: These advanced canes incorporate technology like ultrasonic sensors and GPS to provide users with more information about their surroundings. The WeWALK Smart Cane, for instance, connects to a smartphone to help with navigation.
• Guide Dogs: Highly trained service animals guide individuals through complex environments, avoiding obstacles and stopping at curbs. Many handlers also carry a white cane for familiar areas or when the dog is not with them.
• Accessible GPS: Smartphone apps like Soundscape or GoodMaps provide turn-by-turn voice instructions, describing points of interest and street information to assist with navigation.

Computer and digital access technology

Standard computers and smartphones are made accessible through specialized software and hardware. These tools convert visual information into audio or tactile output.

Common computer and digital access tools include:

• Screen Readers: This software reads aloud the content on a computer or mobile screen, including text, links, and menus. Popular examples include JAWS for Windows, VoiceOver for Apple devices, and NVDA (a free, open-source option for Windows).
• Refreshable Braille Displays: These devices connect to computers or smartphones and translate digital text into Braille by raising and lowering pins. They are essential for Braille users to read and write digital content.
• Electronic Notetakers: Portable devices with Braille keyboards and displays, often with speech output, that function as tablets for writing, reading, and productivity.
• Screen Magnifiers: For those with low vision, software like ZoomText can enlarge on-screen content and adjust colors to improve readability and reduce eye strain.
• Braille Embossers: These act as printers for Braille, creating hard-copy documents by embossing raised dots onto paper.

Daily living aids and apps

Beyond mobility and computing, numerous devices and applications assist with everyday tasks.

Daily living aids include:

• Talking Devices: Clocks, scales, and calculators that announce information audibly.
• Tactile Markers: Small, raised dots with adhesive backings used to label appliances, keyboards, or other items, providing a non-visual way to identify controls.
• AI-Powered Glasses: Wearable technology like OrCam MyEye or Envision Glasses uses a camera to read text, recognize faces, and identify products, providing real-time audio descriptions.
• Accessible Apps: The Be My Eyes app connects blind users with sighted volunteers via live video call for assistance with visual tasks. Seeing AI, a Microsoft app, can read text, recognize products by barcode, and describe scenes.
• Optical Character Recognition (OCR): Software and devices that scan and convert printed text into digital text that can then be read aloud or converted to Braille.

Assistive technology comparison

Feature	Screen Readers (e.g., JAWS, VoiceOver)	Refreshable Braille Displays (e.g., Brailliant BI 40)	Smart Canes (e.g., WeWALK)	Accessible Apps (e.g., Seeing AI)
Function	Reads digital content aloud.	Converts digital text to tactile Braille.	Enhances mobility and environmental awareness.	Uses smartphone camera for object recognition, text reading, etc.
Platform	Software; operates on computers, tablets, and phones.	Hardware; connects to computers and smart devices.	Hardware; integrated with mobile apps.	Software; available on iOS and Android.
Feedback	Audio (synthetic voice).	Tactile (raised pins) and often audio feedback.	Audio (phone) and haptic (vibration).	Audio (synthetic voice).
Key Benefit	Access to all digital content and navigation.	Provides a tactile reading experience for Braille users.	Offers advanced navigation and obstacle detection.	Convenient, portable assistance for a variety of visual tasks.
Primary Use Case	Web browsing, document reading, email.	Digital book reading, writing, and notetaking.	Outdoor mobility and independent travel.	Identifying products, reading menus, or getting help from a volunteer.

Conclusion

For people who are blind or have low vision, the range of tools and technologies available today is vast, constantly evolving, and increasingly integrated into mainstream devices. These aids empower users to lead more independent and fulfilling lives by providing new ways to access information and navigate the world. From fundamental tools like the white cane to sophisticated AI-driven software, these innovations bridge gaps and enable participation in all aspects of society. The best approach often involves using a combination of technologies tailored to individual needs and preferences.

For more in-depth resources on assistive technology for the blind and visually impaired, please visit the American Foundation for the Blind.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do blind people use smartphones?

Blind people use smartphones with built-in screen reader technology, such as VoiceOver for Apple devices and TalkBack for Android. These features read screen content aloud and allow for navigation using gestures. Users also employ specialized apps for tasks like navigation and object recognition.

What is a screen reader, and how does it work?

A screen reader is a software program that converts the text and layout of a screen into synthesized speech or Braille. It works by interpreting the code on the device and reading out elements like text, menus, and links, allowing users to navigate with keyboard commands or gestures.

Can people who are blind read physical books?

Yes, people who are blind can read physical books through several methods. Some use books printed in Braille, while others may use optical character recognition (OCR) systems that scan printed text and convert it into speech. Audiobooks are also a very popular alternative.

What is the difference between a long cane and a symbol cane?

A long cane is used for mobility and environmental detection, helping users locate obstacles and changes in elevation. A symbol cane is shorter and is primarily used to signal to others that the user is visually impaired, rather than for navigation.

How do blind people use money?

Blind people often use special money organizers or apps that can identify and announce the denomination of banknotes. They also frequently use debit and credit cards, which are easier to manage and track.

What is a refreshable Braille display?

A refreshable Braille display is an electronic device that translates digital text from a computer or mobile device into tactile Braille. It features rows of pins that move up and down to form Braille characters, allowing for real-time reading and note-taking.

Are there high-tech glasses for the blind?

Yes, high-tech smart glasses use AI technology to assist with daily tasks. They can read text aloud, recognize faces and objects, and provide real-time audio descriptions of the environment.