Prototype of a Communications System for Blind People in a City

Abstract

Assistive Technology (AT) is an interdisciplinary research area that allows finding solutions for individuals having a given disability[1] by easing or improving skills and functions in order to perform daily activities. A technology is regarded to be assistive whenever it fits well to the needs, skills and capabilities of the user, specifically by taking into account the intended activity and limitations arising in the context and environment where the person performs such activity. This work intends to solve the problems of vision-impaired persons in order to help them move autonomously through a city. To this aim, a prototype based as an FM device to transmit traffic lightsinformation to blind people is presented. Both the prototype design and its development are described, altogether withsteps and preliminary experiences. Results and conclusions show the perception levels and evaluation responsesstated by blind people, as well as thedrawbacks and advantages of the prototype.