Graham Price is an 85-year-old with sight loss (lost at the age of 36) who lives independently and is highly active in his community. He uses technology to support his daily life and maintain independence.
He uses NVDA (Non Visual Desktop Access) an open-source screen reader for computers, to access documents and navigate his computer. He prefers NVDA because it is free and works well for his needs, as opposed to Job Access With Speech (JAWS), which is expensive and did not work as well for him.
Be My Eyes is a free smartphone app connecting blind and low-vision users with sighted volunteers for visual assistance. Graham uses it to identify food from his freezer, read cooking instructions, and check the colour and pattern of his clothes.
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AI Enables Graham to choose clothes, pick food, and access information independently. It provides him with a sense of purpose and the opportunity to contribute to society.
Supports daily tasks such like using the washing machine and managing documents.
The challenges for Graham are the frequent technology upgrades, they can make devices less accessible, especially without adequate training or support. Some features Graham relied on have been removed or changed in updates, making tasks like checking missed calls more difficult. Graham points out that tech companies rarely consult people with disabilities who use social care services before making changes.
When using AI Graham recommends those accessing services to start with someone knowledgeable about the equipment to build confidence. Join peer groups for support and shared learning. When purchasing or receiving new technology, ensure you fully understand its functions and that it meets your personal needs. And finally, use open-source solutions where possible to save costs (e.g., NVDA instead of JAWS)
AI and assistive technology can greatly enhance independence and quality of life for people with sight loss, but accessibility, training, and user involvement in design are crucial for success.