Use of Mobile Phones by Individuals With Visual Impairments

Abstract

Mobile phones are useful devices for communication and applications that can help improve the quality of life of individuals with visual impairments (IVI). Many assistive technologies are available and many more are being developed to reduce dependence on vision and make mobile phones more accessible to IVI. The diffusion of smart phones with touch screens presents some challenges for IVI due to the flat screen surface with no discernable features. However, researchers have already found different ways to overcome this problem by combining the use of different senses and gestures, such as sound, tactile feedback, synthetic speech, voice command, and input by gestures. This article summarizes the challenges faced by IVI in the use of mobile phones and assistive technologies and applications and provides some guidelines for inclusive mobile phone design with regard to IVI. © 2015 by IGI Global.