Future Tech: Insights from the Visually Impaired

Following my legal blindness diagnosis in 2009, I was unaware of anyone else who identified as blind – and certainly not with terms like “low vision” or “visually impaired.” Currently, I lead Be My Eyes, the world’s largest community for people with blindness, a support system utilizing live video connections to assist users in nearly 200 languages with the help of over 4 million individuals and organizations. While the expansion of our shared community is a significant advancement in enhancing our quality of life, it represents only one aspect of why many are saying that this is an exceptionally positive era for those with vision loss.

Over the last decade, advancements in “sight tech” have been remarkable. Technology previously categorized as “assistive” or for “special needs” has become widely adopted – and innovations created by and for individuals with disabilities are now utilized by people of all ages and abilities, regardless of whether they self-identify as having a disability. You can explore interviews with prominent figures in the blindness and accessibility fields hosted by Will on The Be My Eyes podcast and the 13 Letters podcast.

Eyes-free technology now impacts all facets of our lives and the devices we rely on, and the benefits extend beyond those with visual impairments – it’s a benefit for everyone. Therefore, I am delighted to be hosting the inaugural Sight Tech Global conference on December 2nd and 3rd, bringing together the most influential innovators in sight tech to discuss the evolution, current state, and future direction of designing technology with the needs of the blind in mind, and how that impacts us all. Registration is complimentary; register now.

What is Sight Tech?

For many years, innovations intended to assist individuals with blindness in experiencing the world have been a quiet catalyst for technological progress. While many inventors initially approach this field with a desire to provide assistance or restore lost function, the true advancements in sight technology have extended far beyond addressing disability. These developments have generated novel capabilities for everyone and unlocked opportunities for unforeseen innovation: the 12-inch vinyl record, the computer keyboard, and the text recognition programs that formed the basis for contemporary databases all initially entered the market to serve blind consumers.

Historically, having a personal assistant to read or a car readily available was considered a privilege – but this is no longer the case. Currently, every device released by companies like Apple, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft incorporates these features and more, not as an added benefit, but as a fundamental requirement for success in today’s competitive technology landscape. Therefore, whether you utilize dark mode on your phone or interact with Siri while driving, you are benefiting from “sight tech” originally created for those with visual impairments.

You can find interviews with prominent figures in the fields of blindness and accessibility by listening to Will’s podcasts, The Be My Eyes podcast and the 13 Letters podcast.

Consistently, designing products with blind consumers in mind has demonstrated a return on investment that surpasses simply providing aid. Audiobooks, initially met with resistance from publishers when they were first developed for blind readers in 1934, are now the only segment of the book industry experiencing growth. Similarly, optimizing your website for screen readers used by blind individuals may appear to be additional effort, but it also enhances your SEO and improves website usability for approximately one billion users employing non-traditional devices. The realm of sight tech is replete with these positive outcomes – unexpected connections and broad applications originating from designs focused on a specific group.

Sight Tech Global, launched earlier this year by former TechCrunch COO Ned Desmond, offers a new platform for individuals enthusiastic about artificial intelligence, technology for the blind, digital inclusion, and equitable access for all to connect and learn from leading thinkers and practitioners within the accessibility community. Importantly, this entirely virtual and free conference supports the Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, an organization dedicated to assisting individuals with blindness or low vision for the past 75 years.

Below is a glimpse of the topics we will be exploring, discussing, debating, and envisioning at Sight Tech Global. We encourage you to participate! You can find the complete schedule by following this link.

Achieving Seamless Mobility

The concept of a self-driving vehicle often appears as a future convenience for many. However, for individuals unable to obtain a driver’s license, this technology represents a pathway to a significantly enhanced degree of self-reliance. Engineers at Waymo are dedicated to ensuring that when autonomous ride services become readily available, visual ability will not be a barrier to access; anyone should be able to easily utilize this transportation option.

Likewise, digital maps offer far more than simple directional assistance for people with visual impairments. Frequently, they are the primary means of orientation and spatial awareness – representing the distinction between autonomy and reliance on others. Both blind and sighted innovators have consistently advocated for improved, highly precise navigation systems, and currently, the team at GoodMaps is utilizing lidar technology, extensive data collection, and advanced processing capabilities to enable individuals without sight to locate themselves in close proximity to their desired destinations.

Attend a discussion featuring product leaders from Waymo, Waymap, Goodmaps, and other organizations to learn about the evolving landscape of transportation and navigation.

The Future of Conversational Technology

Beginning in the late 1980s, organizations such as Freedom Scientific and Humanware pioneered the field of inclusive technology, developing both software and hardware capable of transforming visual data into auditory or tactile feedback. These systems functioned as fully operational computers, providing digital Braille displays and audiobooks to users well before the proliferation of mobile applications.

Currently, major technology corporations including Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are independently developing screen readers and assistive tools, alongside the numerous third-party applications designed for tasks like orientation, sensory enhancement, and the identification of text and images. As these capabilities become integrated directly into operating systems, companies specializing in established assistive technologies are also adapting and innovating.

This discussion will thoroughly explore the advancements anticipated for “screen reader” technology – and examine how emerging innovations ranging from artificial intelligence and augmented reality to specialized headsets and haptic feedback systems are revolutionizing user interfaces and redefining established practices within the industry.

Over a period of two days, insights will be shared by accessibility experts representing Apple, Microsoft, Google, Vispero, Humanware, Amazon, and other leading organizations.

Technology and Inclusive Design

Even the most innovative technological advancements often present unforeseen challenges. As artificial intelligence emerges as a powerful tool to assist individuals who are blind or visually impaired in navigating both professional and personal aspects of life, it’s crucial to recognize that AI can inadvertently introduce new forms of bias. When developing systems designed to perceive, classify, and engage with individuals, how can we effectively incorporate considerations for disability and a wide spectrum of functional requirements? How do we ensure that machines do not replicate existing societal biases?

This event will also feature prominent voices from the blindness and disability advocacy community, including Lainey Feingold, Haben Girma, and George Kerscher. They will offer critical perspectives on information accessibility as a fundamental right, evaluating the progress made and the remaining work needed in the age of AI.

Sight Tech Global will be held virtually on December 2nd and 3rd, and attendance is completely free. All funds generated through sponsorships will directly support the Vista Center for the Blind. Sponsorship opportunities are still available – further details can be found here.