Assistive technology and low vision: applications and accessibility resources in mobile devices

Resumen

Introduction: Mobile electronic devices have assumed and/or complemented the place of optical, non-optical, electronic and computer resources in solving the functional alterations in people with low vision. Objective: Considering the wide and continuous use of mobile electronic devices in people’s lives, this study aimed to characterize smartphone and/or tablets applications that assume the function of Assistive Technology (AT) resources and are used in the daily life of people with low vision. Method: The methodology adopted in this investigation was descriptive in nature, under the case study design. Twenty-eight people with low vision participated in the study, who are members of an existing group in WhatsApp. The data collection took place in the virtual space of this application, individually, through semi-structured interviews. The data were transcribed and analyzed based on the founded theory. Results: Participants reported using 50 applications that enabled the use of mobile devices as AT, and nine accessibility resources through which users access to mobile devices were guaranteed. Conclusion: It was possible to identify the potential of these applications in solving difficulties faced by people with low vision, as well as portraying how this population has benefited from new possibilities in AT and information and communication technologies in navigation activities, consumption of food and purchases, execution of household, recreation and socialization, contrast, communication, labor and academic tasks.