Developing apps for people with sensory disabilities, and implications for technology acceptance models

Abstract

The significance of digital assistive technology in everyday life of people with disabilities has been continuously increasing during the last decade. An important example is that of the development of mobile apps which are suitably adapted for use by sensory-deprived people. We are involved in developing two such initiatives. The first offers interactive indoor navigation for blind and visually impaired persons, while the second offers deaf people a user-friendly environment for text depiction of the verbal speech, even when the articulation is defective, which is usually the case when the speaker is deaf. Despite the possible benefits of these apps, this does not necessarily signify automatic acceptance. This study aims to examine factors that may inhibit take up, in order to obviate these as much as possible. Factors contributing to the acceptance of technology may be complex, such as ‘perceived usefulness’, ‘self-efficacy’ and ‘social influence’. An exploratory study of this issue will accrue qualitative evidence from the potential users. The paper concludes by presenting recommendations for the development of a tentative modified Technology Acceptance Model that considers the special circumstances around technology use by disability cohorts, to be tested as the research continues.

Keywords: Technology acceptance model, blind and visually impaired, deaf, mobile apps, qualitative analysis.