Abstract
Purpose :
Visually impaired (VI) individuals continue to face barriers related to access of information. Smartphones may play a role in combating this issue through universally accessible products to accommodate the needs of the VI. However, data on smartphone use is sparse for individuals with vision loss. Our current work expands on the findings of Martiniello (2019) by quantifying use of smartphones in a general low vision clinic (GLVC) population without pre-determination of smartphone or technological proficiency.
Methods :
A convenience sample of 26 VI individuals was recruited from a general LV clinic. Participants were administered (in-person or by phone) a 20-item technology use survey developed by the authors. Current level of technology usage was not an inclusion criterion. Participants were queried on technology ownership and use - brand, application choice and usage, use of accessibility features, and training.
Results :
Twenty-six participants were enrolled in the study (mean age = 49.8 +16 years). Twenty-one participants were visually impaired and five participants were totally blind. Ninety-two percent of participants reported travelling independently, mainly through public transportation and ride share options. Older participants (>60 years) preferred private ride and taxi services. Eighty-eight percent of the participants used a smartphone, predominantly iPhones (74%). Use of entertainment, transportation, and social media applications was more frequently reported than accessibility applications. Ninety-three percent reported that a smartphone and its accessibility features were not recommended by their low vision (LV) care professional.
Conclusions :
Smartphone usage and selection factors were consistent with findings from on-line survey participants (Martiniello, 2019). Notable differences between studies included a lower percentage of self-taught smartphone users (69% on-line survey group vs 10% of the GLVC population), social media use (81% vs 9%), and music streaming (83% vs 13.6%). The difference in some outcomes between the studies is most likely due to the modes of data collection and the technological proficiency required for participation in an on-line survey. The most important recommendation from our data is that, as smartphones become increasingly useful for persons with VI, LV providers should be encouraged to provide information about uses and accessibility options of smartphones to individuals with vision loss.
This is a 2020 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.