Early adopters of a low vision head-mounted assistive technology

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annuska Zolyomi ◽  
Jaime Snyder
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Early Adopters

scholarly journals Bringing Things Closer: Enhancing Low-Vision Interaction Experience with Office Productivity Applications

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (EICS) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Hae-Na Lee ◽  
Vikas Ashok ◽  
IV Ramakrishnan
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
User Study ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Spatial Separation ◽  
Usability Study ◽  
Presentation Software ◽  
Screen Magnifier ◽  
Word Processors ◽  
Grid Layout

Many people with low vision rely on screen-magnifier assistive technology to interact with productivity applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, and presentation software. Despite the importance of these applications, little is known about their usability with respect to low-vision screen-magnifier users. To fill this knowledge gap, we conducted a usability study with 10 low-vision participants having different eye conditions. In this study, we observed that most usability issues were predominantly due to high spatial separation between main edit area and command ribbons on the screen, as well as the wide span grid-layout of command ribbons; these two GUI aspects did not gel with the screen-magnifier interface due to lack of instantaneous WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) feedback after applying commands, given that the participants could only view a portion of the screen at any time. Informed by the study findings, we developed MagPro, an augmentation to productivity applications, which significantly improves usability by not only bringing application commands as close as possible to the user's current viewport focus, but also enabling easy and straightforward exploration of these commands using simple mouse actions. A user study with nine participants revealed that MagPro significantly reduced the time and workload to do routine command-access tasks, compared to using the state-of-the-art screen magnifier.

Perceptions of Assistive Technology by Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments in Jordan

2020 ◽  
Vol 114 (6) ◽  
pp. 488-501
Author(s):  
Eman Al-Zboon
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Financial Barriers ◽  
Ethical Practices ◽  
Community Attitudes ◽  
Awareness Programs ◽  
Effective Use

Introduction: Ethical practices and technology are current trends in education for individuals with disabilities. This study investigates the perceptions of assistive technology expressed by teachers of students with visual impairments (i.e., blindness or low vision) in Jordan. Methods: The research involved 20 teachers. Data were collected via semistructured interviews and analysis carried out via the constant-comparative method. Results: The results highlight the challenges that teachers perceive in using assistive technology with their students, particularly regarding computer use, the willingness of a child to use a particular device, the lack of such technologies in schools and in the home, and a lack of training in the home. The results highlight perceived external barriers to the effective use of assistive technology, including those related to finance, training, societal attitudes, and family support. It appears that assistive technology can also have negative effects, which can be considered an ethical issue, since such technologies can expose students with visual impairments to negative community attitudes, addiction, bullying, abuse, and extremism. Discussion: Teachers highlight the issues they experience in using assistive technology with students with visual impairments in Jordan, which can be explained by the contextual conditions in the country. Implications for practitioners: Decision-makers in the field of visual impairment need to consider these issues through providing professional development, addressing financial barriers, and conducting awareness programs for students regarding the effective use of assistive technology.

Assistive Technology Use among Older Adults with Vision Loss: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Canadian Newspapers

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Katharine Fuchigami ◽  
Colleen Mcgrath ◽  
Jordana Bengall ◽  
Stephanie Kim ◽  
Debbie Laliberte Rudman
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Collaborative Design ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Critical Discourse ◽  
Full Text Review

Abstract Low vision assistive devices are often positioned as enabling continued social participation and engagement by older adults in everyday activities; however, previous research suggests that the use of such technologies is restricted by various environmental factors. With little attention previously paid to the discursive environment, this critical discourse analysis critically examined how aging persons with vision loss and assistive technology (AT) were constructed and the occupational possibilities promoted and marginalized through technology use in six Canadian newspapers. In total, 7,289 articles were screened, 1,867 articles underwent a full-text review, and 51 articles were selected for data analysis. Results highlight four key discursive threads related to the framing of disability and AT, positioning of seniors with vision loss, and the ideals and occupations to be attained through AT, and point to the importance of re-configuring discourses addressing AT for seniors with vision loss to expand occupational possibilities and embrace collaborative design approaches.

Assistive technology for children and young people with low vision

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Thomas ◽  
Annegret Dahlmann-Noor ◽  
Lucy Barker ◽  
Gary Rubin
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Children And Young People

scholarly journals ASSESSING THE RELEVANCE OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTIONS: A CASE OF UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM IN TANZANIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Josephine C. Ngonyani ◽  
Cosmas B. Mnyanyi
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Dar Es Salaam ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
General Sense ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Learning Institutions

This paper assesses the relevance of assistive technology (AT) used by persons with disabilities enrolled in higher learning institutions (HLIs) in Tanzania. Assistive technology in its general sense is meant to support persons with disabilities (PWD) in managing their daily activities, including participation in teaching and learning. The study was descriptive in nature and used a cross-sectional research design. A total of 173 respondents participated in the study; 18 Management officials, 47 students, 35 trainers, 40 Dar-es-Salaam University Students Organisation (DARUSO) leaders, and 33 PWD. Among the 33 PWD; (10) visually impaired, (5) low vision, (7) physically impaired, (3) albinism, (7) hearing impaired, and (1) speech impaired. The study revealed that AT was provided conforming to the kind of a disability and that training was for new AT users. The training covered topics related to simple maintenance and repair of AT. The challenge was related to the shortages of AT experts and AT courses for training, caretakers and other professionals. The study recommends the establishment of AT courses for developing a cadre of AT specialists for conducting rehabilitation services. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0760/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Low vision assistive technology device usage and importance in daily occupations

Work ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Fok ◽  
Janice Miller Polgar ◽  
Lynn Shaw ◽  
Jeffrey W. Jutai
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Low Vision
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