Assistive technology

About Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology is any product or system that enhances everyday life, be it to aid learning, working or simply enjoying daily activities, for individuals with disabilities, including visual impairment.

At Sight Research UK, we believe in the power of research to deliver transformational solutions for sight-threatening conditions in the future. But we also recognise the need to live well here and now for the many people affected by low vision and blindness.

That’s why, while we wait for research to deliver, we believe that Assistive Technology can play an important role by providing often indispensable support to blind and partially sighted people – be it at home, at school, or in the workplace.

Benefits of Assistive Technology

From simple magnifiers to screen readers, free apps, and all the way to smart eyewear that can make phone calls and help you watch TV, in this section we illustrate how Assistive Technology can help people with low vision and none navigate the day to day with greater ease and independence.

In the next few pages we present a number of case studies to illustrate just some of the helpful tools available. We have grouped them by some common conditions, but the difficulties with certain tasks are shared by other conditions, too.

It is important to note that Assistive Technology solutions are not a one-size-fits-all. Our partners Sight and Sound Technology have over 40 years’ experience in advising users in their choices, and in providing lifetime support for their devices.