SURVEY OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND BLIND PERSONS

Abstract

Assistive technology is any device, software or equipment that is used to help individuals with disabilities. A report prepared by WHO indicates that globally the number of people of all ages virtually impaired is estimated to be 285 million, of whom 39 million are blind. For a number of years researchers have developed assistive technology for overcoming difficulties and challenges faced by visually impaired and blind person. This paper provides survey of recent developments in audio and tactile feedback based assistive technologies which are developed for blind person. Due to recent development in the technology, applications now can be developed and run on mobile and portable devices. As a result, electronic travel aids, navigational assistance modules, text-to-speech applications, as well as virtual audio displays which combine audio are becoming integrated into standard mobile devices. This move, combined with the user-friendly GUI and modes of interaction has opened new door for the development in
visually impaired and blind person. This paper will help new researcher to future research in mobile interaction design with respect to users with special needs.