Developments in Electronic Aids for the Blind and Visually Impaired

In summary, there are many specific problems frequently faced by the blind and visually impaired that are amenable to solutions through appropriate applications of electronics and microcomputer technology. This potential is widely recognized by commercial manufacturers, who have been particularly active in the area of computer-access devices. It is expected that future developments will include continued refinement of synthetic speech applications and braille computer-access technology, increased research into the problems and solutions of orientation and mobility, and increased application of electronics to the reduction of educational and employment barriers for the blind and visually impaired.