Google Glass: A Solution For People With Low Vision

Thanks to so many technological marvels around us, every question has not one, but many answers. It's amazing to see how people develop some really cool and concrete solutions with things they have access to.

Benjamin Yonattan is a passionate ballet dancer. He started dancing when he was five, and got really serious about it when he was nine. However, at the age of five, he also started losing his vision due to a visual disorder called Retinal Dystrophy which leads to a gradual and progressive loss of vision with age. As a 13 year old now, his vision has deteriorated to the extent that seeing with his eyes is like seeing through a straw. This was a major obstacle for a ballet dancer like him at dance conventions  with hundreds of people around him. He would bump into people or feel squished into a smaller area.

Thanks to serendipity and his mom's iPhone, Benjamin realized that putting the phone up to his eye, he saw a lot more than he did with his own eyes. The iPhone camera (or any smartphone camera) can capture a lot more detail and shrink it down in one little area. 

This is very easy to demonstrate too - if you make a little hole on your hand by curling your index finger (to the size of a straw) and then see through it, you will see very little. If you then place a phone camera in front of your "hand hole" and see through it, you will see a lot more detail on the screen.

This led them to pursue a much robust solution for Benjamin's vision - Google Glass! Since this device is wearable, Benjamin could have his hands free for other activities while having access to a substantial portion of his new vision. The first time he tried Google Glass, he was able to seven people in the room instead of the usual one without Glass. The following diagram shows how his vision improved when he started using Google Glass. It is to be noted that eventually, Benjamin will lose all of his vision.

Google Glass seems like a pretty handy and fairly affordable solution for someone with low vision who wants more independence in performing daily activities without the need of another person or accessory. If someone is in need of a temporary solution, this definitely can be considered as an option.

Source: Daily News, Hedge Accordingly

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First Braille Phone Goes On Sale In UK!

Technology is so amazing and friendly that it has made many things accessible - including phones! All smartphones today, with the help of native features and several apps, can help blind users perform several tasks very easily (including making phone calls, of course)! However, what if you find technology intimidating? What if you like things to be as simple as possible and are okay with a device that will help you keep in touch with your loved ones with minimal interaction with technology?

If that's the case, the OwnFone is the solution for you!

A phone that only has a list of names and pretty much nothing else, OwnFone lets a blind user make phone

calls to 4 to 12 of their loved ones with the touch of a button. The device has names of their loved ones listed in Braille which can also be listed in raised text if the user cannot read Braille. All they have to do is press a name and a call is immediately made to that person. This phone also receives phone calls from the same set of people. The size of a credit card, OwnFone can be used for both day to day conversations and emergency purposes.

The price of the phone varies from �40.00 to �70.00 depending on how many names you want listed on the phone. In addition, OWnFone has monthly plans for talk time starting at �7.50 and going up to �15.

The cost of the phone is kept low because it is 3D printed!

If you know someone who is not very fond of technology and are keeping away from smart phones because they "don't get it", OwnFone may be a good option for them! This phone may also be a good option for people with multiple disabilities who would like their device to perform desired tasks with minimal interaction.

This phone is currently available only in the UK.

Source: OwnFone via BBC

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How Do Blind Users Use Smartphones?

There are several things that are just not easy to understand if you don't have any sort of exposure to them. One of those several things that (especially sighted) people have a hard time understanding is how blind people use smartphones? A device with just a flat screen and one to maybe four physical buttons was the bane of many blind users when it first came out, but we all know that things have changed in the last so many years, and phone have become really accessible. But what does that mean (especially to sighted users who are not necessarily familiar with accessibility)? How does accessibility help blind users? What do they do different with their phones to do what sighted users would do? What kind of apps do they use on their phones?

So many questions!

Jonathan Mosen couldn't have done a better job explaining how and what for would a blind user use their smartphone. See him explain how to turn on voiceover on iDevices, and use it to navigate through apps and use them. He also enlightens us about some special apps specifically for blind users (an app that lets you take pictures of an object and searches a crowdsourced database to identify it) that make use of the smartphone a breeze and also enhance their user experience.

Last but not the least, he emphasizes how important making apps accessible is only because there are more and more blind people using smartphones now. If you are a developer, you cannot afford to ignore accessibility.

Watch this amazing video and share it! This is good knowledge for anyone and everyone!

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Source: Twitter
Image source: New York Times

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Interesting Stories From Twitter! Episode 1: 01/12/2014

Hello everyone, and happy new year! Starting this week, I will be posting some brief audio descriptions of interesting stories, articles, videos etc. I find on Twitter that I think you will find interesting! I will also post links to those tweets so you could go ahead and read/view them in their entirety if you choose to do so.

I hope you find this beneficial. Please don't hesitate to give me feedback - i would love to hear about things I can do to improve this blog!

Thank you for reading and listening!

Venkat Rao

Here's Episode One!

Tweets discussed in this episode:

#1

TYSM for the RT @RandolphEyecare The leading cause of low #vision in American is #cataract http://t.co/yqi8kPL6Sx #infographic #eyehealth
� Olivia Shelton (@care4eye) January 5, 2014

#2

Useful ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) resources from @Mozilla http://t.co/BqZf2Yayq0 #webdev #javascript
� Jennison Asuncion (@Jennison) January 5, 2014

#3

2014 Web Accessibility Predictions � http://t.co/rChMIlV2pC #a11yPredictions2014 #a11y
� Denis Boudreau (@dboudreau) January 4, 2014

#4

Why Do We Fear the Blind? http://t.co/6R6HsHEhkc
� Assistive Tech Blog (@ATBlog2) January 12, 2014

#5

@TechshareIndia wishes everyone very Happy New Year. Looking forward for our event on 13-14 Feb, NewDelhi. http://t.co/eu94huVy0E #inclusion
� techshare (@TechshareIndia) January 1, 2014

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PointGrab: Control Household Appliances And Electronic Devices With Point And Gesture Control

We have been seeing a lot of devices that are touch and gesture enabled that can be very helpful for people with various disabilities (motor skills, spinal injuries, quadriplegics). However, all the devices that we have seen so far work with computers.

That is soon going to change.

A Tel Aviv based company, PointGrab, is working on bringing to the masses a couple of concepts that use motion and gesture controls not just with computers but also with household appliances! The technology works by creating a "transparent space" in front of the user, enabling a touch interface but from a distance. The user has to be pointing their eyes and a finger at the device and perform a gesture to get the desired action. For example, pointing a finger at a lamp will turn it on, and moving it in a downward motion will dim the lamp. Similar gestures can be used to control any device in the house - air conditioners, window shades, thermostats, doors, etc. PointSwitch is the concept that works with appliances, and AirTouch works with computers, televisions, and other consumer devices.

The company suggests that we should start seeing these technologies in consumer products as soon as early 2014.

Watch the following two videos to see how PointSwitch and AirTouch work.

Source: Engadget
Image Source: Engadget

Website: PointGrab

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Telescopic Contact Lenses For Age Related Macular Degeneration

In the recent past, we have seen quite a few solutions for Macular degeneration, a leading cause of legal blindness in adults over the age of 60. These solutions enhance the person's existing vision and give them confidence to go out and about again and help them carry on with their lives more naturally ( see this and this). 

Switchable telescopic contact lens, developed by researchers in the USA and Switzerland, provides the same enhancements but without the need of surgery. It magnifies the scene details by 2.8 times when paired with special spectacles.

The contact lens has a telescopic element that consists of tiny aluminum mirrors. This element sits right outside the central region of the lens that lets light in for normal vision. The mirrors bounce the light around four times within the ring before passing it on to the retina. The accompanying spectacles have polarizing filters that can be turned on so that the only light coming to the retina is through the spectacle+lens combo, thus magnifying the image 2.8x.

In the adjoining picture you can look at the results of images captured through the contact lens and optomechanical eye. (a) USAF resolution chart @ 1x. (b) USAF resolution chart @ 2.8x. (c) Outdoor image taken with optomechanical eye. (d) Outdoor image taken with contact lens and both apertures (1x + 2.8x). (e) Outdoor image taken with contact lens @ 2.8x.

This prototype lens is 8mm in diameter, 1mm thick at its center and 1.17 mm thick in the magnifying ring.

Since the lens would be worn by the user for an extended period of time, it was very important to make it "breathable" or make it suitable for use for more than 30 minutes. The researchers achieved the breathability by creating very tiny channels that let the oxygen flow through. The "gas-permeable versions of these lenses are being developed for clinical trials in November.

According to the researchers, the image quality provided by these lenses fell short of design goals but they have identified all the factors that would improve performance in the near future.

Hit the source links to read more about these telescopic contact lenses in greater detail.

Source: Optics InfoBase via BBC

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FDA Approved Bionic Eye

Image source: Engadget

The FDA recently approved a bionic eye that will bring limited vision to people who suffer from a specific type of blindness.

The technology behind this bionic eye, known as artificial retina, will allow people who suffer from retinitis pigmentosa (a condition that causes night blindness, blurring, poor color separation, etc.), to see crosswalks, outlines of trees, cars, people; large numbers/letters among other things. It also helps them identify objects that have a contrast between light and dark - for example, black socks mixed with white ones.

This new device, named Argus II, uses electrodes implanted in the eye, a pair of glasses with a camera attached and a portable video processor that can be worn on the waist. The camera embedded in the glasses captures the scene. This video is processed by the video processor and sent to the implant in the eye, which emits small pulses of electricity that in turn simulate the retina's remaining cells, and conveys visual information to the brain.

As of now, 10,000 to 15,000 Americans will qualify for the Argus II (eligibility: must be over 25; have previously had useful vision. Also, the Argus II should provide a substantial improvement to their current blindness). The device would cost around $150,000 and that does not include the cost of surgery and training. Second Sight, the company that makes this device, is hopeful that soon insurance companies would start covering it.

As mentioned above, this device is currently being made available only to people suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, but it is being looked at as a promising step for treatment for people who have macular degeneration. Eventually, Second Sight plans to use this technology to solve blindness caused by all causes.

Please read the article at the source link to learn more about this technological marvel that has opened many avenues in the assistive technology area. Don't forget to watch the video at the top of that source article too!

What do you think of this invention? A blessing for sure, but does it have limitations? Does it require a lot of work still? What are your thoughts? Please share in the comments section!

Source: NY Times (thank you, Tom Walton!)
Video: Engadget

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Implant For Age Related Macular Degeneration

Scientists at UC Davis Health Systems have successfully started installing implants into eyes of patients who suffer from age-related macular degeneration, thus giving them brand new vision.

Macular degeneration, the leading cause of legal blindness in Americans over the age of 60, damages the macula - the part of the retina that provides central vision. This loss of central vision affects a person's ability to perform daily tasks. Unfortunately, macular degeneration has been known to cause depression and diminish quality of life.

The Implantable Miniature Telescope (IMT) is an extremely tiny implant that has been approved for end-stage age-related macular degeneration. With a combination of mirrors, the implant magnifies the image 2-3 times of the normal size and projects on the retina for the eye to see.

Retina Specialists at UC Davis Health Systems started installing the implant in May, and so far 50 patients have received it. One of the recipients, an 89 year old artist named Virginia Bane who stopped   painting four years ago because of age related macular degeneration, is extremely enthralled. "I can see better now", she said after the surgery. "Colors are more vibrant, beautiful and natural, and I can read large prints with my glasses. I haven't been able to read for the past seven years. I look forward to being able to paint again."

Soon Virginia would be able to see even better as she retrains her brain how to see.

Approximately 60% of the patients were able to see three or more lines on the eye chart right after surgery.

The patient needs to met the following requirements to receive this implant:

• Must be at least 75 years of age.
• Must have retinal findings of geography atrophy or disciform scar with foveal involvement.
• Must have BCVA of 20/160 - 20/800.
• Must have evidence of a cataract in one eye.
• Must be willing to undergo pre-operative screening and post operative training with a low vision therapist.

Hit the source links to read more.

Source: UC Davis Health Systems (1), UC Davis Health Systems (2), Fox News via Gizmodo
Image sources: UC Davis Health Systems (1)

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Bionic Eye: No Battery Required

It is common knowledge that bionic eyes receive power from batteries. The existing technology and setup when it comes to bionic eyes dictate the use of wires and battery. However, scientists at Stanford University have invented a new subretinal implant that provides power through infra red beams and electrically stimulates neurons.

Various age related problems such as macular degeneration and retinal pigmentosa cause the death of cells which detect light in the eye. Ultimately, this leads to blindness.

In modern days, retinal implants have given the ability to some patients to see again. However, the chip that is installed behind the retina requires power from a battery that's installed behind the ear, and wires that connect the two. The implant invented by scientists at Stanford has eliminated the need to have this complex wiring arrangement. The new setup requires the user to wear a pair of glasses that is fitted with a camera. The camera records everything and sends infrared beams to the chip behind the retina. This in turn creates electrical signals which is then passed on to the nerves, ultimately allowing the person to detect motion, perceive light, and identify basic shapes.

Since the chip is very thin, and the setup is totally wireless, the surgery required is very simple. This implant has not been tested on humans yet. However, it has been successfully tested on rats.

Hit the source links to read more about the wireless bionic eye. If you want more technical details, you would want to read the Stanford University source link.

Source: Stanford, BBC via Engadget

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