WhoCanUse

by Corey Ginnivan
@corey
@coreyginnivan

See how your color combinations can affect different people with visual impairments.

#visualImpairment #accessibility #whocanuse #webapp #webtool

https://www.whocanuse.com/

Experimenting with painting the top surface of #ExerciseBike pedals white so a blind elderly relative can see easier to get their foot in the strap.

**"The Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Education of People with Visual Impairment"** by Aikaterini Tsouktakou, Angelos Hamouroudis, and Anastasia Horti from the Department of Primary Education, Kapodistrian University of Athens. Published in *World Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology and Sciences*, 2024.

The paper explores how AI enhances learning for visually impaired students, featuring tools like "PeopleLens" for social interaction. Key insights:
1. AI tech improves educational access, converting visual info to audio/tactile formats.
2. Apps like TapTapSee and Envision AI support daily independence.
3. Social tools such as PeopleLens help students connect with peers, reducing isolation.
4. High costs and accessibility issues limit broader use.
5. Privacy and ethics in AI remain key concerns.

For AI to fulfill its promise, it must be accessible, affordable, and ethically sound.

Just been in a meeting with my faculty's disability support people, where they said they were trying to buy an accessible scientific calculator for a visually impaired student to use in exams.

Googling, I found this - https://www.visionaid.co.uk/calculators/sciplus-3300---scientific-calculator-with-speech - which has the assistive tech margin added for a cost of £535!

Meanwhile, I know the Desmos calculator is accessible and free, so it'd be cheaper to just buy a cheap tablet or laptop and use that!

Are there any other accessible scientific calculators that they should look at?

I mean, they're not hard to make in software. I've made several myself.

Edit: actual kick-off location is Geneva, Switzerland.

Science in braille is a global campaign to highlight visually impaired people who work or study STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) subjects.

The campaign starts on 31st of October 2024 and the in-person kick-off will be at the United Nations, New York City.

From the website (https://scienceinbraille.com/):

"Our Mission: To advocate for the integration and recognition of blind and partially-sighted individuals in STEM fields by promoting accessible education, providing resources, and fostering a community that values diverse perspectives and contributions in scientific innovation.

Our Vision: To create a world where blind and partially-sighted individuals are fully integrated and recognized as vital contributors to the advancement of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, driving innovation and inclusive progress."

Okay, the results of the screen reader survey are in:

"People who use screen readers, do you prefer hashtags to all be at the end of a post, or do you prefer hashtags to be mixed in with the main text?"

- 100 votes prefer hashtags all at end

- 42 votes prefer hashtags mixed in text

...so, it seems to be that hashtags at the end have a lot more fans, but it's not unanimous.

(Link to survey: https://social.growyourown.services/@FediTips/112977620571623981)

Why Aira’s Access AI is a Game-Changer for Accessibility
For all the AI skeptics out there who think AI is useless, let’s talk about something truly transformative: Aira’s Access AI.
Empowering the Visually Impaired
Aira’s Access AI is revolutionizing the way visually impaired individuals interact with the world. It’s not just another tech gimmick; it’s a lifeline, providing real-time visual assistance.
How It Works:
1. AI Image Chat: Snap or upload a photo, and get detailed descriptions instantly.
2. Human Verification: Trained visual interpreters verify and enhance AI-generated descriptions where necessary, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
3. Integrated Services: Combines AI capabilities with Aira’s established visual interpreting services for comprehensive support.
Why It Matters:
• Increased Independence: Users gain autonomy, navigating their world with confidence.
• Enhanced Accuracy: The blend of AI and human intelligence guarantees precise information when it is needed.
• Accessible Everywhere: Available on iOS and Android, making it easy to access assistance anywhere, anytime.
Real Stories, Real Impact:
Users have shared heartwarming stories of how Access AI has changed their lives. From reading labels at the grocery store to enjoying Caturday fun, the positive impact is undeniable.
AI for Good:
Access AI by Aira is a shining example of how artificial intelligence can be harnessed to create meaningful, positive change in people's lives. It’s more than technology; it’s empowerment.
Join the Conversation:
Let’s celebrate the power of AI and how it’s helping to create a more inclusive world. Share your thoughts and stories!
#AIForGood #Accessibility #TechForGood #AiraAccessAI #VisualImpairment #Inclusion #AssistiveTechnology #EmpowermentThroughTech #AIRevolution #Blind #DigitalAccessibility #Innovation #TechThatMatters #AI
Together, we can change the narrative around AI and show how it can make a real difference.

A quick question for folk who are visually impaired, if I may: What is the proper name for a long white cane with a ball on the end of it? I need to add a caption to a photo where someone is using one.

Hope for visually impaired photographers: I love photography. But I have a small problem. I am legally blind in one eye, and suffer from Fuch’s dystrophy, which means my eyesight will keep deteriorating, and probably faster now that I am old. The only cure for Fuch’s is a corneal transplant, which comes with a bunch of problems of its own. The symptoms, for me, have been difficulties focusing on the subjects of my shots. Since the LCDs on cameras are small, and the viewer is essentially useless to me, my solution has been eyeglasses and a BIG smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, because I have used Samsung for years). And a lot of tossed images! And some unhappiness with how my good shots turn out.
Of course, I am not the only person in the world suffering from impaired or increasingly impaired eyesight! And not the only photographer watching their love of the art of light receding into the twilight. There must be something available for folks like us! I did a lot of research online before I decided on the smartphone. However, I bought it before this came out:

Sony Develops Affordable Camera for the Visually Impaired

Yes, it’s unwieldy, but it’s a beginning! And the set up costs about the same as the Galaxy. I look forward to more advances in photographic equipment for the visually impaired.
The announcement article in PC Magazine:
https://www.pcmag.com/news/sony-develops-affordable-camera-for-the-visually-impaired
And a series of blog posts about how visually impaired photographers have solved their problems. Interestingly, you can actually see how their vision problems impact their photography. And I am glad I did this little article, because I am now inspired again.
https://www.thephoblographer.com/?s=retinal+projection
Cheers to all!
#Photography #VisualImpairment #AssistiveTechnology