# From abandonment to adoption: advancing assistive technologies for blindness and low vision in the AI era

## TL;DR

This paper discusses how to improve the adoption of assistive technologies for people with blindness or low vision by addressing design and support issues.

## Contribution

The paper proposes three priorities to reduce abandonment of assistive technologies through better design and user engagement.

## Key findings

- Abandonment of assistive technologies is common due to misaligned design and lack of user training.
- Three priorities are suggested: participatory research, integrated ecosystems, and social support.
- These priorities aim to align new AI-powered assistive technologies with user needs.

## Abstract

Assistive technologies can enhance safety, independence, and quality of life for people with blindness and low vision. Despite their benefits, abandonment of these technologies remains widespread, and recent research on this issue is limited. In this Perspective article, we draw on both professional experiences and relevant scientific literature to examine adoption and abandonment in the context of new artificial intelligence-powered applications. We highlight risks arising from misaligned design, inconsistent industry support, and inadequate user training. We synthesize existing knowledge on factors that influence abandonment and propose three priorities to realign assistive technology development: participatory and transdisciplinary research, integrated technology ecosystems, and socially supported engagement. Taken collectively, these priorities ensure that emerging assistive technologies better align with the needs of people with blindness and low vision, promoting lasting adoption rather than abandonment.