Improving the Accessibility of Dating Websites for Individuals with Visual Impairments

TL;DR

This paper aims to improve the accessibility of online dating websites for visually impaired users by adding features to existing recognition systems to better support their needs and enhance their online dating experience.

Contribution

It introduces additional features for facial recognition systems on dating platforms to address accessibility challenges faced by visually impaired users.

Findings

Enhanced recognition of pets and indoor/outdoor images improves accessibility.

Proposed solutions increase usability for visually impaired users.

Potential for more inclusive online dating experiences.

Abstract

People now frequently meet and develop relationships through online dating. Yet, due to their limited accessibility, utilizing dating services can be difficult and irritating for people with visual impairments. The significance of the research issue can be attributed to the fact that dating websites are becoming more and more common and have a significant impact on how people establish romantic connections. It can be challenging for people with visual impairments to use dating services and develop lasting relationships because many of them are not created with their requirements in mind. We can encourage people with visual impairments to participate more completely in online dating and possibly enhance the success of their romantic relationships by making dating websites more accessible. There is some existing implementation that can automatically recognize the facial expression, age, gender, presence of child(ren) and other common objects from a profile photo in a dating platform. The goal of this project is incorporate additional features (presence of any common pets, indoor vs. outdoor image) to further enhance the capability of existing system and come up with test viable solutions to accessibility issues that people with visual impairments face when using dating websites.