While mobile technology ownership is increasing for those with sight loss, there still remains a significant accessibility gap. To help address this gap, Ontario Tech University has partnered with the CNIB Foundation’s Phone It Forward program.
As part of an initiative led by the university’s Accessibility Working Group, the partnership helps CNIB collect gently used smartphones that are then loaded with accessible apps and provided to people experiencing sight loss.
The apps loaded to the phone help users access emergency assistance, read prescription labels, travel safely with the use of GPS and recognize faces of loved ones, while also providing voice-over technology. Technical training, discounted maintenance costs and data plan support is also supplied to users.
For more information, visit Ontario Tech University.
