Technology

“Touch screens are the new braille” – Dr Tom Pey, RLSB

RLSB’s research into how blind young people use digital technology shows that the immense benefits sighted users experience are often out of reach. Despite being users who would potentially benefit even more than sighted people, the digital take up among blind and visually impaired people is low.

The internet is opening doors to learning, new friendships, new experiences, new jobs and is propelling people forward everyday. We believe that if blind people can more deeply engage with digital technology it has the potential to transform their lives forever. It has the power to become the Braille of the 21st century.

Using the internet to retrieve information or browse is incredibly complex and time-consuming for blind people. Even “experienced” users have to craft bespoke, makeshift strategies for browsing and using the internet.

The Conversational Internet

This is a project we started in 2011 to work with technology companies to develop a Talking Internet which would help relieve these frustrations. The video on the right  outlines our vision and you can read more about it here.