Touchscreen for the visually impaired

A team of researchers at Stanford University has invented a way for visually impaired people to use the tablet's touchscreen as a Braille keyboard.

This invention stems from some previous basic ideas about how blind people can access information technology. Instead of typing on the keyboard or handwriting, blind people tap directly on the touch screen. The inventors have used a novel design for the keyboard to overcome the lack of touch support features.

Sohan Dharmaraja, a research fellow at Stanford University, said: "Instead of finger searching for keys, we make the keys to the fingers."

Touchscreen for the visually impaired

When the user places eight fingers on the touch screen, the keypad will appear. The menu is activated by shaking the device and visually impaired people can perform more complex interactions through normal hands-on activities.

Adam Duran, a student at New Mexico University who collaborated with the research team, tried typing in the "X-Factor Style" contest. Complex math and chemistry with the touch-screen keyboard created by the team. The results are very positive.

Braille writing in common

Professor Lew said: 'Imagine how blind people enter the classroom how to write? What should I do in the street? How difficult is it for the visually impaired?

Using the touch screen is much more convenient than Braille writing.

"Braille typewriters are quite bulky, they cost between $ 3,000 and $ 6,000, and cheaper tablets do more," said Dharmaraja, "who knows what this device will do. It's opening up a door that was never before available to the blind. "

It may take some time to get this application from Stanford University into practice, but the team has a lot of expectations for future development.