iUtileyes: A Talking SmartPhone and Tablet Application that Helps People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired to Fully Utilize Devices with Visual Flat-Panel Displays

The goal of this project is to combine low cost consumer electronics with an innovative approach and state-of-the-art software to deliver a device capable of removing barriers in vocational settings for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. This project demonstrates the technical merit, feasibility, and cost effectiveness of combining ground-breaking image processing technology enabling optical character recognition and text-to-speech software to literally voice the information and instruct the user on navigating the user interface. During Phase I, this project develops an application that runs on a smart phone or tablet to assist individuals who are blind or visually impaired to fully and safely utilize devices, equipment, kiosks, and tools that incorporate visual flat-panel displays (VFPDs). Not only is the information displayed on these devices with embedded VFPDs not accessible, the complexity and extensive use of “soft” keys results in keys having multiple functions; this precludes the typical accessibility methods of memorization combined with Braille labels or tactile markings.