A Framework to Assess Cortical Activity of Visually Impaired Persons during Training with a Sensory Substitution Device

Author(s):  
Florina Ungureanu ◽  
Robert Gabriel Lupu ◽  
Simona Caraiman ◽  
Andrei Stan
Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (21) ◽  
pp. 7351
Author(s):  
Dominik Osiński ◽  
Marta Łukowska ◽  
Dag Roar Hjelme ◽  
Michał Wierzchoń

The successful development of a system realizing color sonification would enable auditory representation of the visual environment. The primary beneficiary of such a system would be people that cannot directly access visual information—the visually impaired community. Despite the plethora of sensory substitution devices, developing systems that provide intuitive color sonification remains a challenge. This paper presents design considerations, development, and the usability audit of a sensory substitution device that converts spatial color information into soundscapes. The implemented wearable system uses a dedicated color space and continuously generates natural, spatialized sounds based on the information acquired from a camera. We developed two head-mounted prototype devices and two graphical user interface (GUI) versions. The first GUI is dedicated to researchers, and the second has been designed to be easily accessible for visually impaired persons. Finally, we ran fundamental usability tests to evaluate the new spatial color sonification algorithm and to compare the two prototypes. Furthermore, we propose recommendations for the development of the next iteration of the system.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Nkiko ◽  
Morayo I. Atinmo ◽  
Happiness Chijioke Michael-Onuoha ◽  
Julie E. Ilogho ◽  
Michael O. Fagbohun ◽  
...  

Studies have shown inadequate reading materials for the visually impaired in Nigeria. Information technology has greatly advanced the provision of information to the visually impaired in other industrialized climes. This study investigated the extent of application of information technology to the transcription of reading materials for the visually impaired in Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design of the ex-post facto to select 470 personnel as respondents. A questionnaire titled Information Technology Use Scale (α=0.74), and Interview Schedule (α=0.75), were used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The findings indicate that information technology in transcription was low and a significant positive relationship between application of information technology and transcription of information materials (r=0.62: p<0.05). The study recommended among others that Multi-National Corporations should be sensitized to extend their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities to help in procuring modern information technology devices and software to enhance transcription.


IEEE Access ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
Paul Mejia ◽  
Luiz Cesar Martini ◽  
Felipe Grijalva ◽  
Julio Cesar Larco ◽  
Juan Carlos Rodriguez

PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. e0194737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hendrik P. Buimer ◽  
Marian Bittner ◽  
Tjerk Kostelijk ◽  
Thea M. van der Geest ◽  
Abdellatif Nemri ◽  
...  

1986 ◽  
Vol 80 (7) ◽  
pp. 849-854
Author(s):  
E. Pell ◽  
L. E. Arend ◽  
G. T. Timberlake

Patients with age-related visual loss suffer reduced ability to recognize faces and other scenes in photographs and on television. Recently, progress has been made in image enhancement, using controlled distortion of digitally stored images that increases their usefulness in particular applications. Described are two approaches to image enhancement for the visually impaired. In one approach, the visual losses that characterize individual patients and disease classes are described using detailed measurements of visual degradation transfer functions, which are profiles of loss of image information at various spatial scales. The particular distortion used for image enhancement is then adjusted to the impairment of the individual patient or disease class. A second approach takes advantage of the resemblance between the visual losses of many patients and the degradation of picture information in other applications due to external limitations (e.g., fog and haze) on photography. Several enhancement algorithms have been found useful with such images and may also improve picture recognition by the visually impaired.


1979 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-67
Author(s):  
Robert W. Bischoff

Reviews the literature on listening and describes ways of helping visually impaired students to improve their listening skills. Discusses advantages of compressed speech.


1986 ◽  
Vol 80 (10) ◽  
pp. 1005-1006
Author(s):  
V. L. Mosler

Other authors have compared commercially available night vision aids used by visually impaired persons who have night blindness. The Wide Angle Mobility Lantern (WAML) is usually the more recommended device. This article suggests that other night vision aids, as yet unmentioned in the literature, may be equally effective and sometimes preferred to the WAML. Lights in the Streamlight series are comparable in price and size to the WAML and are more widely available. Personnel working with school-aged children who are night blind are encouraged to provide them with information about, and hands-on experience with, various night vision aids.


1986 ◽  
Vol 80 (6) ◽  
pp. 794-798
Author(s):  
Rona L. Harrell ◽  
Felice A. Strauss

Many visually impaired individuals are found to be too passive or too aggressive in their social interactions. Lack of assertive behavior is related to the concept of learned helplessness. Components of assertive behavior are described with suggestions for enabling the visually impaired person to develop these skills. The underlying concepts of assertion training are explained along with specific techniques to be utilized in the school or rehabilitative setting. With a structured intervention resulting in improved assertiveness skills, blind or partially sighted individuals can increase their effectiveness in communicating with others and can feel more in control of their lives.


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