Direction research
Explore the research done into clothing and its relation with the visually impaired.
How can clothes be more accessible for blind and visually impaired people?
How can clothes be more accessible for blind and visually impaired people?
How does a blind person get dressed? How do blind people manage to walk outside in the morning without two different shoes? While the method of putting on clothing is the same as how a sighted person would get dressed, there are some added challenges. Identifying different items of clothing by touch alone might still be insufficient when trying to know the color, pattern or which is the newest of your items. There are assistive technologies that help with labeling clothes and ensuring that the fabrics and colors match, however, these are quite limited and usually involve sighted volunteers contacted through mobile apps, braille tags or organization methods. It is relevant to consider that every visually impaired person has different living conditions and therefore different needs within this common challenge. Consequently, not all tags should communicate the same, as not all users might find that information useful. This translates into the design when considering a universal and flexible labeling system that allows visually impaired users to easily identify their clothes based on their criteria.
How does a blind person get dressed? How do blind people manage to walk outside in the morning without two different shoes? While the method of putting on clothing is the same as how a sighted person would get dressed, there are some added challenges. Identifying different items of clothing by touch alone might still be insufficient when trying to know the color, pattern or which is the newest of your items. There are assistive technologies that help with labeling clothes and ensuring that the fabrics and colors match, however, these are quite limited and usually involve sighted volunteers contacted through mobile apps, braille tags or organization methods. It is relevant to consider that every visually impaired person has different living conditions and therefore different needs within this common challenge. Consequently, not all tags should communicate the same, as not all users might find that information useful. This translates into the design when considering a universal and flexible labeling system that allows visually impaired users to easily identify their clothes based on their criteria.
Making fashion adaptive for the visually impaired
Making fashion adaptive for the visually impaired
In an article by Anna Mok for JuneAdaptive, she outlines some key elements to make fashion adaptive for individuals with visual disabilities.
Fabrics: Prioritize materials that are easy to care for, wrinkle-free, comfortable, breathable, and allow ease of movement.
Easy-to-wear Clothing: Look for items with features like snap buttons, pull-on pants, and magnetic closures for hassle-free dressing.
Pockets: to hold items securely and prevent loss while on the go.
Comfortable Shoes: Choose footwear with good grip and slip resistance to reduce the risk of trips and falls.
In an article by Anna Mok for JuneAdaptive, she outlines some key elements to make fashion adaptive for individuals with visual disabilities.
Fabrics: Prioritize materials that are easy to care for, wrinkle-free, comfortable, breathable, and allow ease of movement.
Easy-to-wear Clothing: Look for items with features like snap buttons, pull-on pants, and magnetic closures for hassle-free dressing.
Pockets: to hold items securely and prevent loss while on the go.
Comfortable Shoes: Choose footwear with good grip and slip resistance to reduce the risk of trips and falls.
Clothing Brands and Braille Clothing Tags
Clothing Brands and Braille Clothing Tags
Two Blind Brothers, a non-profit organization, creates clothing with labels featuring braille color words directly on the shirts. The fabric is designed to feel softer than regular shirts. All proceeds from each product sold are dedicated to combating blindness.
A new kind of company has emerged, aiming to make clothes easier to purchase and wear. The shopping process begins on an accessible website, like White Cane Label, where they ask about your clothing preferences and provide personalized suggestions. Once you buy the products, they attach labels and include Braille cards with washing instructions.
Two Blind Brothers, a non-profit organization, creates clothing with labels featuring braille color words directly on the shirts. The fabric is designed to feel softer than regular shirts. All proceeds from each product sold are dedicated to combating blindness.
A new kind of company has emerged, aiming to make clothes easier to purchase and wear. The shopping process begins on an accessible website, like White Cane Label, where they ask about your clothing preferences and provide personalized suggestions. Once you buy the products, they attach labels and include Braille cards with washing instructions.
Assistive Technologies
Digital Closet Apps: They allow all of the clothing, shoes, jewelry, and accessories scanned into this app and tagged with information such as color, size, care instructions, and other helpful information to put outfits together or provide washing instructions. An example of this would be Stylebook.
Color reader: Users can just hold the reader over a piece of clothing and hear the color name spoken aloud. While regular color reading gadgets can be costly, free apps like Microsoft Seeing AI have built-in color readers for colorblindness or other color deficiencies.
Stickers and labels: Bump dots or tactile stickers are raised plastic dots with adhesive backs available in different sizes, shapes, and colors. They can be stuck on various surfaces, like the lids of pill bottles or clothing tags, especially handy when there are visually similar objects. They can be bought on platforms such as Amazon and provide an affordable option. Some other examples of adaptive labeling are RFID labels, voice labeling systems, etc.
Virtual assistance apps: When a blind or low-vision user asks for help using the app, it sends a notification to multiple volunteers. The app matches the blind or low-vision user with a sighted volunteer who speaks the same language and is in the same time zone.
Digital Closet Apps: They allow all of the clothing, shoes, jewelry, and accessories scanned into this app and tagged with information such as color, size, care instructions, and other helpful information to put outfits together or provide washing instructions. An example of this would be Stylebook.
Color reader: Users can just hold the reader over a piece of clothing and hear the color name spoken aloud. While regular color reading gadgets can be costly, free apps like Microsoft Seeing AI have built-in color readers for colorblindness or other color deficiencies.
Stickers and labels: Bump dots or tactile stickers are raised plastic dots with adhesive backs available in different sizes, shapes, and colors. They can be stuck on various surfaces, like the lids of pill bottles or clothing tags, especially handy when there are visually similar objects. They can be bought on platforms such as Amazon and provide an affordable option. Some other examples of adaptive labeling are RFID labels, voice labeling systems, etc.
Virtual assistance apps: When a blind or low-vision user asks for help using the app, it sends a notification to multiple volunteers. The app matches the blind or low-vision user with a sighted volunteer who speaks the same language and is in the same time zone.
More about assistive apps
More about assistive apps
BeMyEyes: Be My Eyes is an innovative app that offers three powerful tools in one for people who are blind or have low vision. With over half a million users worldwide, individuals can connect with over 7 million volunteers, utilize AI image description, or contact company representatives for assistance with products, all through the app. The app supports 185 languages and operates 24/7, providing free global access. Its newest feature, 'Be My AI', offers AI-generated visual descriptions in 36 languages, making tasks like checking makeup. Furthermore, the 'Specialized Help' section allows users to connect directly with company representatives for customer support. Be My Eyes helps users in many tasks, such as using home appliances, reading product labels, identifying clothes, reading digital displays, navigating menus, operating machines, organizing libraries, and handling mail.
Aira: Aira is a popular solution connecting blind and low vision individuals with certified Visual Interpreters, offering a reliable service. The platform is accessible globally 24/7 and it is integrated with a mobile app. With just a smartphone's camera and this app, a trained Visual Interpreter will provide detailed descriptions and assistance with tasks like reading and navigation, ensuring your needs are met securely.
BeMyEyes: Be My Eyes is an innovative app that offers three powerful tools in one for people who are blind or have low vision. With over half a million users worldwide, individuals can connect with over 7 million volunteers, utilize AI image description, or contact company representatives for assistance with products, all through the app. The app supports 185 languages and operates 24/7, providing free global access. Its newest feature, 'Be My AI', offers AI-generated visual descriptions in 36 languages, making tasks like checking makeup. Furthermore, the 'Specialized Help' section allows users to connect directly with company representatives for customer support. Be My Eyes helps users in many tasks, such as using home appliances, reading product labels, identifying clothes, reading digital displays, navigating menus, operating machines, organizing libraries, and handling mail.
Aira: Aira is a popular solution connecting blind and low vision individuals with certified Visual Interpreters, offering a reliable service. The platform is accessible globally 24/7 and it is integrated with a mobile app. With just a smartphone's camera and this app, a trained Visual Interpreter will provide detailed descriptions and assistance with tasks like reading and navigation, ensuring your needs are met securely.
Dsu group 3
Q2, 2024
