THURS-067 - Advancing Accessible Health and Fitness Technologies for Blind Individuals: Addressing Usability, Equity, and Well-being
Thursday, April 17, 2025
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM PST
Location: Pacific I/II, 2nd Floor
Area of Responsibility: Area VI: Communication Subcompetencies: 7.2.4 Plan training, including technical assistance and support., 6.4.2 Select communication channels and current and emerging technologies that are most appropriate for the audience(s) and message(s). Research or Practice: Research
Graduate Research Assistant Old Dominion University Norfolk, Virginia, United States
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Analyze innovative usage among blind individuals.
Usage of newer technology among blind individuals suffering from chronic illnesses.
How the new technologies impact the people with disability.
Brief Abstract Summary: Recent advancements in technology are reshaping the lives of individuals who are blind, offering them mobility and social inclusion. This review paper explores the intersection of assistive technology for blind people and social determinants of health, especially in cases where blindness is caused by chronic conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration.
Detailed abstract description: Recent technological advancements are transforming mobility, social inclusion, and overall well-being for individuals who are blind, particularly those affected by chronic conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. This review examines the convergence of assistive technology and social determinants of health, highlighting solutions such as tactile maps, screen readers, and AI-enabled navigation aids that facilitate access to information, education, employment, and health monitoring. While fitness and health applications offer features like heart rate monitoring, ECG, respiratory rate, calorie tracking, and diabetic glucose level management, usability remains a significant challenge. Blind individuals often encounter obstacles in using these applications effectively due to limited screen reader compatibility, inadequate tactile or auditory feedback, and user interfaces not designed with accessibility in mind. These challenges restrict independent health management, making it difficult for blind users to fully benefit from these technologies. Despite these innovations, disparities in education, socioeconomic status, and healthcare access further limit the adoption and usability of assistive technologies, exacerbating health inequities among underserved populations. High costs restrict access to adaptive devices for lower-income groups, while limited digital literacy and lack of specialized training reduce effective usage. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that promotes technological advancements while emphasizing usability-focused design and policy reforms to ensure equitable access. This paper advocates for inclusive technology policies, increased funding for accessibility tools, usability-centered design in health applications, and community-driven education initiatives to bridge these gaps, aiming to improve health outcomes, fitness engagement, and quality of life for blind individuals.
