Assistive technology use in domestic activities by people who are blind (2025)

Given the diverse age, demographic backgrounds, and experiences with blindness among our participants, we began the interviews by asking them to describe a typical day in their lives. Most participants adhered to a daily routine centered around domestic activities such as housework and cooking, with occasional trips to the post office, bank, or shopping mall. All participants valued staying active and social, either through daily walks with family or friends or by participating in regular exercise classes. Given our collaboration with the SB Braille Institute and Blind Fitness for recruitment, it was unsurprising that many participants frequently attended art, exercise, and assistive technology tutorial classes.

All participants expressed a strong desire for independence in their daily activities. Fifteen of the sixteen participants did not live alone, with fourteen of them living with a sighted spouse. The one participant who lived alone relied on a hired helper to assist with cleaning and other potentially unsafe tasks around the house.

Technology use for domestic iADLs

To gain a more systematic understanding of the suitability of various assistive technologies for domestic iADLs, we grouped the applications, devices, and services mentioned by our participants into “low-tech” solutions (i.e., analog tactile and visual aids) and “high-tech” solutions (i.e., digital devices or smartphone applications). These results are summarized in Fig.1.

In general, participants reported utilizing low-tech solutions for cooking, doing one’s laundry, dressing oneself, and cleaning around the home; but not for managing finances (Fig.1A). All participants reported relying on one or more tactile labeling systems (Fig.1C); be it using bump dots, textured stickers, rubber bands, pipe cleaners, braille Dymo labels, or professional braille embossers. These were often used to label kitchen utensils, cleaning supplies, or important buttons on kitchen appliances and the laundry machine.

In comparison, high-tech apps and services proved useful for all tasks (Fig.1B). They included live visual assistance (e.g., Be My Eyes, Aira) for cooking and cleaning, voice-activated personal assistants for setting timers and automating certain appliances, voice-over apps (e.g., JAWS) to help with managing finances and reading recipes, and color readers to assist with getting dressed and sorting laundry. Two often mentioned products were the Seeing AI app and the OrCam device, which could be used to scan bar codes, identify objects, and recognize currency denominations.

Importantly, low-tech and high-tech solutions were not used in isolation from each other. For instance, participants may combine tactile labels to label kitchen supplies and appliances, but also rely on digital solutions to scan bar codes and read recipes. Despite the diversity in preferences and strategies, our thematic analysis revealed that our participants engaged in similar heuristics when their iADLs did not go as planned:

1. 1.

   Prioritize independence: All of our participants emphasized their desire to be independent. Thus, before relying on external help, they would attempt to perform the task themselves. Many participants expressed frustration with their dependence on spouses and family members, especially for daily activities that “seem so basic”.

2. 2.

   Tactile aid preference: Only if their first attempt failed would our participants consider an external aid. When given a choice, they would typically reach for the tactile aid.

3. 3.

   Digital aids as a last resort: Only if relying on their own senses and any available tactile labels failed would our participants consider a digital aid such as a smartphone app. Participants displayed different preferences for their “high-tech” visual aid: whereas many preferred live visual assistance aids (e.g., Be My Eyes, Aira), others preferred AI-based solutions (e.g., Seeing AI, Amazon Echo).

Our findings indicate that while assistive technologies are available, their adoption is influenced by user preferences, accessibility barriers, and the individual’s degree of prior exposure to rehabilitation services. These results suggest that future digital assistive technologies should focus on addressing issues that tactile solutions cannot solve effectively or completely.

Common pain points and remediation strategies

Participants had mixed perceptions, comfort ratings, and motivation levels for technology use at home. However, those who routinely relied on technology reported higher comfort levels and ease of use. Participants consistently praised the availability and accessibility of live visual assistance services, magnifiers, and voice-over tools.

While most everyday activities were reported as doable, they were often tedious and time-consuming. To effectively operate around the home, participants relied on a variety of tactile and digital tools that provided information about the physical layout of their home, the location of objects and furniture, and the state of appliances and household systems. Access to information was further enhanced through tactile or auditory feedback, which helped confirm the successful completion of tasks.

A common strategy among participants, similar to those in Shinohara and Tenenberg²⁰, was the “brute force backup,” where participants would try all possible options available as a fallback when other strategies failed. This methodical “last resort” heuristic, while potentially exasperating and time-consuming, ensured that tasks were completed and often exposed individuals to new ways of accomplishing various iADLs.

In addition, we found that many participants were unaware of available training programs and rehabilitation services that could support education and awareness of adopted personal assistive technologies. Instead, they relied heavily on word-of-mouth recommendations and informal peer networks.

Our findings reinforce the need for accessible design not just in the development and design of assistive technologies themselves, but also within the infrastructure surrounding their adoption, such as training programs and rehabilitation services. Many of the challenges participants faced were not perpetuated due to a lack of available solutions, but rather to barriers in accessing, learning, and integrating them effectively into their daily routines.

A brief overview of common pain points and remediation strategies for the domestic iADLs under study is given below.

Housekeeping

Cleaning and tidying one’s home was a common source of frustration. The experiences of our participants were mostly consistent with the existing literature⁷. Participant N highlighted the need to appropriately label and store their cleaning supplies; since these items were not used every day, it was easy to forget where they put them. Participant I lamented that it was quite difficult to tell whether the floor needed to be swept, stating:

“It’s hard to know if the floor is dirty unless I physically feel something underfoot.”

Participant M was the only one to report that they actually enjoyed cleaning, sharing:

“My organizational skills and tidiness have improved since losing my sight. I find it therapeutic.”

Many participants reported needing to repeatedly sweep or dust their rooms just to make sure they had not missed a spot. Because of that, most participants relied on the help of a spouse or an external cleaning service. While this might be an acceptable solution to many, it was perceived to be expensive and to reduce the participant autonomy and independence.

Aside from a few apps that may act as live visual aids, there are little to no existing technologies to support visually impaired and blind individuals in ensuring the cleanliness of their homes.

Laundry

Doing laundry was reported to be time-consuming but manageable for most participants. A significant pain point was the difficulty in using newer washing machines with touchscreens, which made changing or verifying settings challenging. Participant E reported that:

“Doing laundry is fairly easy when no settings need changing. But since we have newer machines, it can be really hard if I do have to fix the settings because the screen is digital.”

To address these challenges, many participants used tactile markers, such as bump dots, to label important buttons. However, identifying stained clothing remains a challenge, as it requires visual confirmation. One participant mentioned:

“I can do laundry by myself, except for certain stains where I have to ask for help.”

Despite these difficulties, some participants found laundry to be one of their more manageable household tasks, especially when using older machines with dials. Others, like Participant G, employed additional aids such as color coders to assist with sorting laundry.

These findings highlight the need for more accessible and user-friendly designs in modern washing machines.

Meal preparation

Several participants love to cook and use several tools, often embracing the process even if it means “making a mess” (Participant O). Most reported being “slow and meticulous,” emphasizing the need for an organized kitchen with labeled jars and appliances.

Participant G highlighted the importance of organization:

“I cook all the meals for my family. However, sometimes [my spouse] comes in and accidentally moves something around. Then it takes me a really long time to find it, and no tool can help you with that. It’s super frustrating.”

Common challenges included reading recipes, locating ingredients, mixing and measuring, dealing with hot surfaces, and determining food doneness. Strategies included preparing ingredients before cooking (“mise en place”) and using specialized tools like no-touch thermometers.

Participants who attended cooking classes used heat-resistant gloves, long oven mitts, larger pans, and techniques for gauging temperature safely. Those with residual light perception stressed the importance of appropriate lighting.

Despite utilizing multiple senses and strategies, many found cooking time-consuming and frustrating, leading some to rely on takeout and food delivery services. Participant L summarized: “Cooking tasks are doable but time-consuming and require different tools at each step, making a huge mess and causing frustration.”

These findings highlight the need for accessible kitchen tools and technologies to streamline meal preparation and reduce frustration.

Shopping for groceries and necessities

Shopping for groceries and necessities, while technically an outdoor activity, is integral to managing a household. Participants’ experiences varied based on their level of vision, familiarity with the store, and availability of assistance.

All participants highlighted the necessity of help for reading labels and finding items, typically by a sighted store clerk or a spouse. Participant F would write a shopping list using braille and then read it to a store clerk. Participant I noted the challenge of store layouts changing frequently, complicating navigation even for regular customers.

These findings underscore the need for supportive technologies that enhance navigation and accessibility in both physical and online retail environments.

Managing finances

Managing personal finances can be particularly challenging without vision, as many banks still send paper statements and web-based platforms often lack accessible design features³². Most participants relied on the help of a spouse or family member to manage tasks like paying bills and filing taxes. For instance, Participant A expressed unease with using screen readers for personal information, saying:

“I don’t trust putting sensitive information online, so I handle finances through phone conversations and rely on my spouse for the rest.”

Participants who managed their finances independently, such as Participants B, H, and M, reported various difficulties, from handling checks to accessing online statements due to poor web interfaces. These challenges often required a combination of assistive technologies. Participant H explained:

“I use a CCTV to enlarge checks, JAWS to navigate eBanking platforms, and Talk Back for the bank’s smartphone app, but I still depend on my spouse for critical transactions.”

Other participants maintained balances and collected tax information but collaborated closely with their spouse for final processing.

These findings underscore the need for banks and financial institutions to improve the accessibility of their services.

Managing medication

Managing medication was another challenging task for participants, necessitating various strategies and assistive technologies. Participant H used an app called Script Talk, which involved the pharmacy attaching a tag to the medication bottle that the app could read, providing an audio version of the label. Participant H explained:

“The pharmacy puts a tag on the bottle, and Script Talk reads everything written on it.”

Participant J used bump dots to differentiate medications for day and night use:

“I put bump dots on the top of the dresser and on the touch screen of the laundry machine, and I use them to label my medications.”

Participant I highlighted the difficulty of locating dropped medications, saying:

“If I drop my medicine, it’s like it’s gone into a black hole on the white tile floor.”

To combat this, they used patterned tablecloths and organized their medications into pill boxes for daily use.

These examples underscore the importance of accessible medication management systems, currently requiring a combination of tactile markers, organizational strategies, and assistive technologies. Enhanced design and support for such tools in pharmacies and healthcare settings could further ease this essential daily task.

Getting dressed

Participants generally agreed that getting dressed is not difficult but can be time-consuming, with organization being key. Many have developed unique and meticulous systems for sorting their clothes by color, texture, or activity, and use braille labels and safety pins to tag important pieces. However, determining if colors are matched or if an outfit looks good can still be challenging.

To mitigate this problem, Participant P got creative:

“I design outfits the night before or when the clothes come fresh out of the washing machine, then I put them all on the same hanger so I know which ones go together.”

Others use a color reader, ask their partners for help, or rely on live visual assistance apps like Be My Eyes for the final judgment.

For instance, some participants mentioned using color readers to distinguish clothing colors, while others depended on their partner’s input. Participant A said, “I stay very organized, but I can’t tell the difference between colors, so I often ask my spouse for help.”

These strategies and tools help mitigate the difficulties associated with getting dressed, highlighting the importance of accessible design in clothing management systems. Enhanced assistive technologies could further improve the independence and confidence of visually impaired individuals in choosing their outfits.

Barriers to adoption of digital assistive technologies in domestic iADLs

Using thematic content analysis (see “Methods”), we identified several potential barriers to the adoption of new digital technologies for domestic iADLs, briefly summarized below.

Lack of awareness

Many participants felt overwhelmed by the plethora of accessible tech options, none of which seemed to perfectly fit their needs. Participant A exclaimed:

“By the time you learn one thing, there is a new thing!”

The most common ways that participants reported acquiring their technology knowledge were through various organizations, demonstrations, and word of mouth. However, this knowledge did not always translate to technology use. The prevalence of difficult-to-use touch screens and voice-over apps often led to frustration, technology abandonment, and a return to reliable tactile tools. As Participant D noted:

“I know that there is technology out there to use, but I don’t use it because I would rather rely on the tools that I already have and the strategies I have already created that work pretty much every time.”

Participants suggested that future tech development should focus on creating comprehensive, user-friendly training programs and support systems. These should include accessible online tutorials, user forums, and regular updates from tech providers to help users stay proficient with new technologies.

Training and support

Participants lamented the extensive training and support required to become proficient users. Some struggled with basic usage, as Participant G stated:

“I have a lot of apps on my phone, but never use them because they take too long to learn and too long to even pull up.”

Many participants also noted that while they appreciated the benefits of technology, they found the steep learning curves daunting. They emphasized the need for training to make technology use more accessible and effective.

Participants recommended that developers include guided tutorials and contextual help within their apps, specifically tailored to individuals with visual impairments.

Accessibility

Most participants had experienced difficulties adopting digital technology due to accessibility issues. Updates to software often resulted in changes to the user interface, causing further frustration. Participant feedback highlighted that while technologies like Seeing AI and voice-activated assistants were highly valued, frequent updates and changes could make them hard to keep up with.

Participants suggested that developers ensure consistent accessibility compliance across all updates and versions of software by regularly testing products with visually impaired users to promptly identify and address any accessibility issues.

Technical issues

Participants appreciated navigation technologies, AI-based apps, live visual assistance technologies, and voiceover tools once they overcame the learning curve. However, technical issues such as compatibility with other devices and low app accuracy discouraged adoption. Participant K was the only participant without major tech complaints. Moreover, some participants expressed concerns about the experimental nature of some technologies, which added to their reluctance to adopt new tools.

Participants recommended that developers conduct extensive testing to ensure high accuracy and seamless integration with commonly used technologies and services.

Other barriers

Other commonly mentioned barriers to adoption included the stigma associated with “fancy” accessibility aids, their high cost, and concerns about privacy due to increasing data collection. Participants noted that while technology could be helpful, it often required significant financial investment and training to use effectively.

Participants suggested addressing cost barriers by advocating for subsidized pricing or insurance coverage for assistive technologies. They also recommended enhancing privacy features to protect users’ personal data and build trust in these technologies.