Blind But Not Without Vision

“…he had already gotten it through his head that he couldn’t do these things because he didn’t have any limbs.”

A father recounts the preconceived limits his son imposed on himself, and how he showed his son that despite his physical disabilities, he can be like anyone else with a little improvisation. Similarly, innovative accessibility and assistive technology will enable the blind and visually impaired to lead their daily lives as a sighted person would. The blind can fulfill big dreams too.

Read the article and watch the video here

Being Blind and a Burden

Living as a blind person in a developing country is an entirely different experience from that in the US or Europe. In India or Nepal, losing one’s sight entails total dependency on someone as well as a loss of social standing and decision-making authority. Probably the most important and scariest thought of all: becoming blind means one is now a burden to the family.

“Technology may not do all the work, but it does create small wonders.” As with all assistive devices, we hope that the RAY smartphone will empower more people in developing countries who are blind or visually impaired.

Read article here.

 

 

Image source: http://www.cureblindness.org/world-blindness/

Google Glass for the Blind?

Sina Bahram and Arpan Chakraborty, computer science graduate students from North Carolina State University had the privilege to experience Google Glass first as part of the Google Glass Explorer Program. They highlighted the enormous potential of voice-based interactions in Google Glass that have yet to be tapped on.

How do you think Google Glass can benefit the lives of the blind and visually impaired?

Read article here.

 

 

Image source:http://gadgetmix.com/google-glass-what-it-can-do/

A Look at Cataracts - The #1 Cause of Blindness in East and Central Europe

Cataract is the #1 cause of vision loss in developing nations as well as East and Central Europe. By the year 2020, an estimated 40 million people will lose their sight as a result of this eye condition. What are cataracts and how do they affect you?

                                       

 

Video source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrAdQV67rnA

The New #1 Cause of Blindness - Macular Degeneration

A recent study published in the British Medical Journal has noted a reduction in prevalence of blindness and impaired vision in many developed countries by 50% and 38% respectively. Macular degeneration has now surpassed cataracts to be the #1 cause of blindness in these populations. Review our earlier posts on macular degeneration for a brief understanding of this eye condition that affects many aged 50 and older.

 

Read article here.

 

 

Image source:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140324200501.htm

Board Games for the Blind!

A husband-and-wife team from 64 Oz. Games have set out on a mission to make board games accessible to the blind. By fitting cards to transparent sleeves with Braille printed on them, or attaching longer descriptions to QR codes that can be read with a smartphone, any blind person can join in the fun now. Support this cool project on Kickstarter!

Read article here.

 

 

Image source: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/64ouncegames/board-games-now-blind-accessible

Apple Earns Patent for Accessibility Feature Invented for Poor Vision Users

Apple has been granted a patent today for the invention of its touch screen display which provides accessibility to the blind and visually impaired. Functions include the ability to recognize non-location based gestures and simple magnification of certain parts of the screen for comfortable reading. Who would have known that behind the gestures we use to activate zoom functions daily lie a set of velocity vectors and pre-determined ratios. Amazing!

Read article here.

 

Image source: www.apple.com, www.tuaw.com, www.padgadget.com

 

A Whole New World for the Blind - How Far Are We?

We envision a whole new world that technology can offer to the blind - but what are the challenges and how far are we from this future?



Video source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucPZxPEiKB8

Assistive technology is for everyone, not just students with disabilities

Assistive technology no longer carries the sole function of leveling the playing field between students with disabilities and the rest of their peers in mainstream education. Devices such as a text-to-speech tool that reads out questions in the exam, and a word-prediction software that aids in spelling have been incorporated into online universal assessments. With these tools, test scores will more accurately reflect a student’s capacity in the subject that is being tested. For instance, a child who is proficient in mathematics will not be penalized because of his inability to read and comprehend the question.

Probably the biggest advantage of all is the way assistive technology will be viewed from now on. “[Students with disabilities] used to say they didn’t want to use it because they’d be different. Now we know everyone learns in a different manner,” said Ms Kathy White, an assistive technology specialist.

Read article here.

 

Image source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_3VtoWbg83u0cVm580m-2gRg4pg3o9RzCLwXctIsdjsMVWvIym7b0W66li2LI1x5QpqyJU7Q3UYc2gqFaPG0d9EGwNdhR3DTIL3MFG4beB0k2Kz6XYWDhRvZdQvWRQEo9lkOeBYI-VI/s1600/photo.JPG

Losing Sight Suddenly - What’s the #1 Accessibility Feature that One Needs?

Learning to live without sight suddenly - how does one cope? What do you think is the #1 support that an individual needs in terms of accessibility?

Read article here.

 

 

Source:http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/11071166.Chorley_man_who_suddenly_went_blind_shares_experiences_at_House_of_Lords/?ref=var_0

Join us at CSUN 2014!

Will you be at the CSUN Conference on 19 - 22 March?

Do drop by Booth 323 (Grand Hall) which we are sharing with Maxi-Aids, and have a go at using our RAY smartphone.

Our CEO and founder, Boaz Zilberman, will also be speaking at the conference about mobility services for the blind and visually impaired. Come join us at Hillcrest AB, 3^rd Floor, Seaport Tower this Thursday at 3.10pm.

We’d love to meet and say hi!

Image source:http://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/2014/sessions/

Stem Cell Therapy for Blindness - Is it Safe?

Here’s a deeper look at how stem cells can restore vision, and why it’s taking a while to be used in humans.



Video source:http://www.ffb.ca/patient_resources/factsheets/stem_cells.html

Stem Cell Therapy Restores Sight in Mice - New Hope for Humans?

Yesterday, we shared the good news of a woman regaining sight after a pea-sized telescope was surgically inserted into her eye. Stem cell researchers may have discovered another cure when they successfully restored sight in mice after injecting them with immature retinal stem cells. Certainly another ray of hope!

Read article here.

Image source: www.myniceprofile.com

Apple Focuses on Accessibility for Low-Vision Users in iOS 7.1

Apple has launched a new iOS version 7.1 that aims to address the problems of its parent - stylistic transparency and poor contrast between buttons and the background have posed a major challenge for users who are visually impaired. Despite its efforts, there’s still room for improvement.

What else do you think needs to be fixed? Let us know!

Read article here.

 

 

Image soure:http://www.macworld.com/article/2107640/a-closer-look-at-ios-7-1s-accessibility-changes.html

Samsung Develops New Smartphone Accessibility Features for the Visually Impaired

Samsung has made its smartphone more accessible to people with low vision - an ultrasonic cover, optical scan application and voice label. What’s most interesting is the ultrasonic cover that is able to sense the presence of objects or people and guides its user away from them.

Read article here.

 

Image source: http://www.theverge.com/2014/3/14/5507720/samsung-accessibility-accessories-galaxy-core-advance

Smartphone Accessibility Training for People with Disabilities

AT&T and Wireless RERC will be introducing a range of seminars to educate consumers with disabilities on the existing accessibility features in their Android, iOS and Windows 8 smartphones that they can utilize. This is definitely a long-awaited helping hand, but better late than never!

Read article here.

Restore Sight with a Telescope Smaller than a Pea!

An 87-year old woman from Britain had her sight restored recently through the use of a telescope that’s smaller than a pea. Joan Gill had suffered from end-stage macular degeneration (AMD) - an eye condition affecting more than 2 million Americans aged 50 and older. This advancement in medical technology will bring hope to the millions who live with the inconveniences of partial sight, if only it didn’t come with such a huge price tag.

Read article here

Image source: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/surgeons-restore-blind-womans-sight-using-tiny-telescope-1440532

See you at CSUN Conference 2014!

The CSUN conference is happening soon!

Project-RAY's CEO and founder, Boaz Zilberman, will be speaking about mobility services for the blind and visually impaired.

Date: 20 March (Thursday)

Time: 3.10pm

Venue: Hillcrest AB, 3rd Floor, Seaport Tower

Come visit us at Booth 323 (Grand Hall) where we will showcase our RAY smartphone on that day.

We look forward to meeting you!

 

Image source:

http://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/2014/sessions/index.php/public/website_pages/view/1



Blind Musicians - Playing Music by Ear

A music teacher helps his blind students to learn to play music by ear.

Listen to the Podcast here.

 

Image source: http://lowvisionbureau.podomatic.com/entry/2014-03-16T07_34_55-07_00

New Technology for Blind and Visually Impaired to Navigate Boston T Stations

Good news for the blind and visually impaired! A new technology designed by the University of Massachusetts Amherst could lead the way in sight-free navigation of complex public transport networks. PERCEPT is a smartphone application that directs people sequentially to various tagged landmarks and provides further instructions from there until they arrive at their destination.

Could this be the first step to much-improved navigation and accessibility of public spaces for the blind community?

Watch the video to see how PERCEPT enables the blind to find their way around.



Video source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmLtkdYrj_E&feature=youtu.be

Did Vincent van Gogh have Glaucoma?

Here’s a fun fact to mark the last day of World Glaucoma Week: Did you know that Vincent van Gogh could have had glaucoma? The reason behind this speculation is that his paintings were characterized by halos and the over-use of the colour yellow.



 

 

Image source:http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art68126.asp



One week to the CSUN Conference 2014!

Will you be attending the CSUN Conference in San Diego next week?

Come listen to what Project-RAY's CEO and founder, Boaz Zilberman, has to say about mobility services for the blind and visually impaired.

Date: 20 March (Thursday)
Time: 3.10pm
Venue: Hillcrest AB, 3rd Floor, Seaport Tower

To experience our RAY smartphone first-hand, come over to Booth 323 (Grand Hall) or drop us a message to arrange a convenient time. See you there!

Image source: http://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/2014/sessions/

Glaucoma - the Thief in the Night

Glaucoma, notoriously known as the “thief in the night”, is a disease of the optic nerve. It is the 2nd leading cause of blindness in the world; progressive damage of these nerve fibers are irreversible, hard to detect and the condition is difficult to treat. In line with World Glaucoma Week, here’s a video about the causes and symptoms of this eye condition which affects 4.5 million people worldwide.

Video source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDSbH2w3HpQ

Lechal footwear - Better Navigation for the Blind and Visually Impaired

How the Lechal footwear guides the blind and visually impaired to their destination.

SmartCane - Safer and more Independent Mobility for the Blind

Watch this video to see how the SmartCane can improve safe and independent mobility for the blind and visually impaired.

Making accessibility technology affordable for the blind and visually impaired - SmartCane and Lechal shoe

The recent Techshare event in India had drawn attention to the problem of accessibility technology being generally out of reach to its targeted consumers due to high costs and limited supply. The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) and Ducere Technologies - inventors of the SmartCane and Lechal footwear, respectively, are working to tackle this affordability issue.  Read this article for a description of the concept behind the SmartCane and Lechal footwear, and how the inventors plan to reduce the cost of their innovations to benefit the blind and visually impaired community.

Read article here

 



Image source: http://techshare.barrierbreak.com/

New Video on Project-RAY's Smartphone Acccessibility Features

We’ve uploaded a new video that gives an overview of Project-RAY’S smartphone accessibility features for the blind and visually impaired.
 
Subscribe to Project-RAY’s Youtube channel for more detailed demos.

Accessibility issues for the blind: a religious setting

Apart from the difficulties one faces while pursuing a degree in college, individuals who are blind also experience discomfort and accessibility issues in places of worship. People tend to have the misconception that blind people cannot be independent, and do not recognize the value of accommodating the needs of these followers. Here’s an excerpt which describes few of the many challenges a blind person may encounter in a religious (Muslim) setting.

"Unfortunately, many Islamic centers are not disability friendly due to infrastructure, a lack of resources, such as visuals for individuals that may be hard of hearing or visually impaired, or the simple lack of awareness on how to treat and accommodate people with disabilities from an Islamic perspective."

Read article here

Image source: http://muslimmatters.org/2014/03/04/living-as-a-muslim-with-disability/

See you at the CSUN Conference, March 2014!

The CSUN conference in San Diego is just 2 weeks away!

Project-RAY will be speaking about mobility services for the blind and visually impaired community.

Date: 20 March (Thursday)

Time: 3.10pm

Venue: Hillcrest AB, 3rd Floor, Seaport Tower

If you’re attending the conference, do drop by Booth 323 (Grand Hall), which we are sharing with Maxi-Aids. Or drop us a message to arrange a meeting time. We’d love to say hi!

Find out about the CSUN conference

 

Image source: http://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/2014/sessions/

Accessibility for the Blind - don't leave them behind

Here’s a blog written by Kevin Miller, who laments on how advances in technology have yet to fully bridge the gap between web application development and user experience. He elaborates with a real-life example: a college student who was blind had a comprehensive set of assistive devices to support her learning, but could not complete simple tasks such as attempting online timed assignments and participating actively in forums.  

As app or software developers, it is essential to consider the accessibility of our products to the blind and low vision community, lest they be left behind.

In what other areas do you think the needs of these people have been overlooked?

 

Read blog post here

Happy 185th Anniversary, Perkins!

Perkins, founded in 1829, is the first school in America for children who are blind. It has since established itself as a thought leader in innovation and education for the blind, deaf-blind and visually impaired, benefiting the lives of many. Last Sunday, Perkins celebrated 185 years of serving this community and we wish them a Happy Belated Anniversary!  

Read on for a summary of Perkins’ milestones.

 

 Image source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/03/prweb11624987.htm

Zoofari - A Girl with Night-Blindness and Her Dream

A young adult fiction book, “Zoofari”, depicts a story of a girl who has night-blindness but aspires to protect the animals at the San Francisco Zoo. To anyone who enjoys reading stories of ordinary people accomplishing huge goals, this may be worth a read.

Read the blurb here

Image source: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/392148

Making Course Materials Accessible to Blind College Students

Just as we were sharing on the challenges that blind students face while studying in college, the Technology Education and Accessibility in College and Higher Education (TEACH) Act (S. 2060) has been introduced last Thursday. With specific guidelines in place, this means that college students who are blind or visually impaired will now have access to the same essential course materials that their peers have. Great news!

In what other areas do you think accessibility needs to be improved on?

Read article here

The Blind Pursuit of Science - How Assistive Technologies Can Help

Pursuing one’s passion for science is no easy feat for students who are visually impaired or blind. Very often, they face the problem of visualizing pictorial representations of data, complex mathematical formulae and completing laboratory coursework.

Read on to find out the limitations they face and what the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany has done to make course materials more accessible to their student community; this is an issue that software magnifiers and screen readers have yet to address adequately.

Read article here

Learning for the Blind...in 3D

Here's another way to make learning more accessible to children who are visually impaired. Yahoo! Japan has crossed conventional boundaries to make searching for information more accessible to them. The child voices out the search item and it will be printed by a 3D printer, Hands on Search, so that the object can be touched and felt.

Watch this video see how amazed the kids are.

Image source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQx6YeoKVwU