From Braille to Artificial Intelligence: Shaping a more accessible future.
UNRIC spoke with Lars Bosselmann, the Executive Director of the European Blind Union, about the role of technology in improving accessibility and efforts to secure the rights of visually impaired people.
What is the estimated number of people who are blind or partially sighted in Europe? Could you explain the difference?
It is estimated that over 30 million people are either blind or partially sighted in Europe, including countries outside the European Union. In general, blind people have no vision, while partially sighted people retain some vision, from light perception to the ability to see shapes, colours, or contrasts. The definitions of blindness and low vision vary across countries, which can impact these estimates.
In your view, what are the biggest obstacles for visually impaired people in our society?
Apart from the physical barriers, one of the most significant challenges is the accessibility of information and communication technologies. When technology is not inclusive, it can limit opportunities instead of enabling them. Other key obstacles include limited access to education, healthcare, and employment, highlighting the need for more inclusive practices.
What do you wish was different about society’s perceptions of blind or partially sighted people?
In my opinion, society often views blindness or partial sight as one of the worst things that could happen to a person, which creates a negative and limiting perception. This stems from a lack of understanding about what blind or partially sighted people can achieve. It is about projecting one’s fears regarding the loss of vision, not understanding the real experiences and possibilities of living with it. There needs to be a shift in focusing on abilities and achievements rather than limitations or disability.
“For me, creating an inclusive society starts with attitude change, seeing the person first and not disability,” Lars Bosselmann (EBU).
What does creating an inclusive society for visually impaired people mean?
For me, creating an inclusive society starts with attitude change, seeing the person first and not disability. This is quite fundamental and provides the basis on which inclusion should be founded. Inclusivity also calls for practical steps to be taken, such as making physical environments like public transport and buildings accessible and prioritizing digital accessibility when designing technology. Lastly, teaching inclusion in childhood and starting this work in schools and communities helps to normalise inclusivity from an early age.
What are the common mistakes we make while creating content for visually impaired people? If there are three important tips you could give about inclusive communication, what would they be?
The most common mistake is not considering accessibility from the very beginning. One may not think that visually impaired people may depend on descriptions to access any visual content. Pictures, videos, and infographics are often inaccessible because alternative text or audio descriptions are lacking. Images or infographics become meaningless without descriptions to a blind user.
If I could give three tips for more inclusive communication, they would be: a) using Alt-text for all images so screen readers can describe them; b) adding captions and audio descriptions to videos to make them more accessible; and c) summarising the key messages of any visual content, e.g. infographics.
Are there some misconceptions that sighted people might have about Braille?
Braille is one of the most revolutionary inventions that opened a new avenue for information and education for millions of visually impaired people. While celebrating the invention’s 200th birthday, let’s talk about some myths:
One common misconception is that Braille has become outdated with the rise of audio-based content such as podcasts and audiobooks. However, Braille is a tool many people with visual impairments rely on. Nowadays, Braille is integrated with digital devices, including smartphones and computers, through Braille displays that transcribe screen content into tactile Braille.
Another myth is that Braille is hard to learn. In fact, learning Braille early in life is as natural and easy as learning to read and write in any other language. However, it can be more challenging to learn later in life, just like any new skill.
Finally, while Braille is not a language itself, it allows visually impaired individuals to access information in a more natural way, similar to reading in one’s own language.
How long does it take to learn Braille?
Learning Braille takes about the same amount of time as learning to read and write in any other language. It requires practice, just like any new skill.
What are some of the emerging trends in technology that can be adopted to enhance inclusive communication further?
How have AI and machine learning contributed to assistive technologies for visually impaired people?
Accessibility for people with visual impairments could be enhanced with AI by creating, from the very beginning, web pages, applications, and documents that are fully accessible, which would eliminate the need for manual adjustments. In terms of current technology, smartphone apps and navigation systems have already made mobility much easier for visually impaired people. These tools, powered by AI, allow users to navigate more independently without constantly needing to ask for assistance.
However, a major downside arises when technology is not designed with accessibility in mind. For instance, many online services, such as banking, are increasingly moving to digital-only platforms. When these services are not fully accessible, they limit participation for visually impaired individuals. A common issue involves payment systems with touch screens, where the lack of speech output can lead to security risks, as users may need to rely on others to input sensitive information like PIN codes. These examples show that technology needs to be built with accessibility from the start, ensuring equal access for all.
Accessibility for people with visual impairments could be enhanced with AI by creating, from the very beginning, web pages, applications, and documents that are fully accessible, which would eliminate the need for manual adjustments. In terms of current technology, smartphone apps and navigation systems have already made mobility much easier for visually impaired people. These tools, powered by AI, allow users to navigate more independently without constantly needing to ask for assistance.
However, a major downside arises when technology is not designed with accessibility in mind. For instance, many online services, such as banking, are increasingly moving to digital-only platforms. When these services are not fully accessible, they limit participation for visually impaired individuals. A common issue involves payment systems with touch screens, where the lack of speech output can lead to security risks, as users may need to rely on others to input sensitive information like PIN codes. These examples show that technology needs to be built with accessibility from the start, ensuring equal access for all.
How does the European Blind Union fight for the rights of visually impaired individuals?
The European Blind Union advocates for the rights of visually impaired citizens in Europe, for instance, by lobbying for new legislation and improving existing laws at both the EU level and within member countries. The EBU works on a wide range of issues, from everyday challenges linked to physical accessibility to topics such as web accessibility. By uniting member organisations, the EBU amplifies the collective voice of over 30 million people, making advocacy efforts stronger and more effective. It also facilitates cross-country exchanges. One recent achievement is the introduction of a European Disability Card, which gives people with disabilities equal rights when travelling within the EU. Another focus is improving accessibility in household appliances, as more devices shift to touchscreens that are less accessible.
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