To become or remain independent: this is the fundamental goal that any technological innovation should set itself, especially when targeting people with visual impairments. Freedom of movement, autonomy in daily activities, the possibility of not always having to ask for help. Francesco Aleotti, IT trainer and accessibility expert at the Asphi Foundation, emphasizes this from the outset: knowing the destination is essential to embark on the journey into the world of technologies designed to support those living with a visual disability.
To date, the smartphone has been the most significant revolution, profoundly transforming the lives of people with visual impairments and offering useful tools on multiple fronts. However, artificial intelligence looms on the horizon as a force capable of redefining this primacy once again. The potential is immense, but equally numerous are the “what ifs” and challenges to be faced.
TAKEAWAYS
Technology for the blind: freedom and autonomy often reside in an app
The field of application of technologies for the blind that Aleotti chooses to explore first is mobility. Between apps, commonly used GPS services, and products designed specifically for those with visual impairments, today it is possible to obtain from a simple smartphone-not even too cutting-edge-any kind of information to move freely around a city.
“I remember well when it was necessary to memorize all the public transportation stops, remaining anxious the whole way, hoping that the driver(s) would remember to notify you personally that your stop had arrived… Today, on the contrary, one can on average take advantage of public transportation independently, and that is an important freedom,” Aleotti explains.
Without necessarily having to stick your nose out of the house, even in the domestic sphere the smartphone is an ally for people who are blind or visually impaired. The various smart technologies, connected to each other, create a “help network” that gives autonomy; home automation, for example, offers full management of spaces and services, and prices are affordable because, whether it is a cell phone or a voice assistant, it is still commonly used hardware.
Aleotti points this out, then churns out a series of thought-provoking examples. He starts with those that are most valuable to him: making sure everything is turned off before leaving, adjusting the temperature of rooms, and cooking with an air fryer
“Household appliances with touch screens-now increasingly common-present a nontrivial barrier for the visually impaired, who often cannot use them. People with visual impairments are often forced to use old analog models of home appliances, always assuming they remain commercially available, otherwise they are forced to give up,” Aleotti explains. “Fortunately, there is no shortage of technological solutions; there are more and more apps that allow people to manage any electronic device independently, without having to ask for help and without having to learn all the settings or key positions by heart. This is definitely a breakthrough, for those who want to live independently.”
The example of “Be My Eyes”
Created in Denmark a few years ago to connect blind and visually impaired users with sighted volunteers, the Be My Eyes app is becoming increasingly useful for those with a visual impairment.
At first it simply allowed the blind person to contact a volunteer so that he or she could describe an image or give useful information about something that the blind person was unable to perceive with his or her own eyes. Now, by using ChatGPT to generate and read detailed descriptions of various images, the involvement of third-party volunteers is no longer necessary: it is the app itself that becomes the ally of the person who has difficulty seeing, an “always on” ally.
Today Be My Eyes can support a wide variety of uses: to check which is the female or male toilet in a bar, to look up the ingredients on food packages, to read a private letter, to check photos received in WhatsApp groups, to check the oven temperature…
There are more than 100,000 blind users who use this app on a daily basis, and all of them are hoping for the next-step, which Aleotti himself is curiously waiting to experience in person.
“The dream would be to have a real-time assistant even with live streaming video, with artificial intelligence that can describe buildings and movements around me, that I can ask questions to and interact with directly at any time.”
“But would you trust him?” I ask him, and actually I ask myself as well. Aleotti, with extreme sincerity, answers, “No.” Nevertheless, he continues to look forward to the next evolutionary step in technology. He explains the reason for his caution:
“Even today, when I use artificial intelligence for work, for example to read complex documents that the screen reader cannot fully handle, I always maintain a margin of distrust. I check, because I know that I cannot blindly trust AI, and that’s okay. This is true for everyone, not just the blind.”
However, for a person with visual impairments, who often has to rely completely on what an AI-enabled app suggests, it becomes even more crucial to be aware of his or her limitations. Technology that can occasionally go wrong requires careful and conscious use.
DIY and self-help training, barriers to entry
The fallibility and possible hallucinations of artificial intelligence introduce a crucial reflection on training and outreach, as Aleotti explains.
“Hands-on courses for blind people, which are necessary to learn how to use the enabling technologies, are almost exclusively paid for by the industry associations. The health service, at most, funds courses provided by third parties,” he points out. “A range of training exists, but it is mainly geared toward those who are already familiar with these technologies. There is a lack of opportunities for those who are just starting out, or for those who are not even aware of the potential offered by technology.”
Aleotti describes a vibrant ecosystem based on self-help, collaboration and the exchange of best practices. Forums, chats, podcasts and free tutorials are valuable resources, often created by and for blind people. Among these, Aleotti recommends the CiecandoScherzando Facebook group and the Nvapple portal, a reference point for blind Italians not only in the Apple sphere. However, accessing this universe is not easy: those who suddenly lose their sight, for example, may not be aware of such services, or may find themselves hampered by a lack of basic digital skills and appropriate tools.
“In some situations, a social stigma problem also persists. Not all settings are welcoming or accessible to those living with a visual impairment,” Aleotti notes. “That’s why, alongside the development of increasingly advanced technologies, it is critical to ensure that they are usable fairly and equitably. Technology is not always the ultimate solution, and when it is, it is often partial anyway. Human input is essential to integrate digital and break down any barriers to access.”
