Priorities for Technological Research for Visually Impaired People

It can take a number of years from the specification of a research project to the outcome being of practical benefit to blind and partially sighted people. Since there are finite resources, both of funds and skilled staff, for research, it is important to carefully analyse the likely future unmet needs of the target user population before determining priorities for research. This is not trivial since both technology and user needs will change with time. At present, much of the technological research is targeted at people using non-visual means of communication and who do not have additional impairments. The demographic trends, however, are for an increasing proportion of visually impaired people to have a significant additional impairment. Much of the current technological research relates to developing sophisticated devices for blind people of above average intelligence. Yet, there is an unmet need for many low-cost devices: for instance, devices for opening new types of packaging of domestic products. Technological developments, such as 3G mobile communications, offer exciting possibilities for new types of services which may be of particular benefit to blind and partially sighted people. However, new models are needed for transferring this technology from pilot schemes to being generally available at affordable prices.