Assistive technology use in domestic activities by people who are blind
Lily M. Turkstra, Tanya Bhatia, Alexa Van Os, Michael Beyeler

TL;DR
This study explores how people who are blind use and perceive assistive technologies for domestic activities, revealing challenges, current solutions, and areas for improvement to enhance independence and quality of life.
Contribution
It provides new insights into domestic assistive technology use among the blind, highlighting underexplored challenges and user strategies through qualitative interviews.
Findings
Difficulty in locating misplaced objects
Limited awareness of assistive training programs
Usability barriers due to software updates
Abstract
People who are blind employ unique strategies when performing instrumental activities of daily living (iADLs), often relying on multiple sensory modalities and assistive technologies. While prior research has extensively explored adaptive strategies for outdoor activities like wayfinding and navigation, less emphasis has been placed on the information needs and problem-solving strategies for managing domestic activities. To address this gap, our study presents insights from 16 semi-structured interviews with individuals who are either legally or completely blind, highlighting both the current use and potential future applications of technologies for home-based iADLs. Our findings reveal several underexplored challenges, including the difficulty of locating misplaced objects, a structured problem-solving approach where digital tools are a last resort, and limited awareness of assistive…
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Taxonomy
TopicsTactile and Sensory Interactions · Digital Accessibility for Disabilities · Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility
