Page 14 - Mainstreamer e-Magazine Volume 5, April 2024

HERE AND THERE: POLICY TOUCHPOINT
Touch Screen Appliances - Boosting or Blocking Independent Living

of the Blind

Nghiem
Dinh Dat

ince the 1990s, the concept of independent visually impaired is crucial for fostering true independence
living for persons with disabilities, particularly and improving their quality of life.
Sthe blind, has gained significant awareness. The challenges posed by touchscreens for those who
Inclusion and accessibility have become crucial are blind and have low vision are significant and growing.
elements in discussions about independent living. A pertinent article from 9news.com.au titled “Why
Advanced technology has undoubtedly brought touchscreens are causing huge accessibility problems for
fresh opportunities to the lives of persons with people who are blind or have low vision” vividly illustrates
disabilities, and the blind community has benefited these difficulties. The article shares the story of a woman
significantly. However, the modern design of new who was unable to purchase a cup of coffee due to the
generation products often presents issues for touchpad controls on a vending machine—a situation
blind and low vision individuals. Many of these that reflects similar issues in Vietnam where many home
individuals struggle to use appliances equipped appliances now feature touchscreen controls. Microwaves,
with touch screens or virtual controls, which have grilling ovens, cook-tops, dishwashers, and laundry machines
replaced the traditional detectable buttons. While all employ touchscreens, which present a major barrier to
non-touch controls are still available, they are independent living for the visually impaired.
often only sold as inventory items.
As user demands evolve, people continue to expect new
functions from the next generation of products to meet their “
changing everyday needs. This raises the question: What On the policy front, there is an
constitutes an accessible control? urgent need to establish specific
According to the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB),
accessible controls are ones that can be felt to determine regulations to address accessibility
their status. The AFB categorises controls into three types: issues. For such policies to be
accessible, inaccessible, and ambiguous. As defined by practical and effective, the voices of
the AFB, ambiguous controls fall between accessible and persons with disabilities, particularly
inaccessible. They provide feedback to the user, which is
often indirect or associated. For example, an oven control those who are blind and have low
might default to a temperature of 350 degrees when turned vision, are crucial.”
on. Pressing textured regions on a smooth control panel
activates the controls, and using the Up and Down buttons The Sydney Morning Herald has also addressed this
changes the temperature by 5 degrees with each press. issue, arguing on smh.com.au that technology threatens
Additionally, each press is accompanied by a distinct beep, to hinder the participation of blind and low vision persons
allowing users to count the beeps to accurately set the in society. The fundamental problem is that individuals
temperature. with visual impairments cannot operate these devices
Unfortunately, today’s major appliances are equipped without assistance, effectively isolating them in their own
with inaccessible control panels. This situation significantly homes and complicating their integration into society. The
impacts the blind individuals’ ability to live independently as simple act of turning an appliance on or off can become an
they struggle to manage their daily activities. The integration insurmountable obstacle, exemplifying a broader issue of
of technology that is sensitive to the needs of the blind and exclusion from social participation due to inaccessible design.

13 April 2024 | Vol. 5