How will the ABILITY Project Benefit Those with Low Vision?

Vibrotactile view of an map which is presented on a large slide as part of a presentation.

The ABILITY project was presented at the European Blind Union (EBU) Low Vision Committee meeting in Slovenia, on 26th of November. The meeting, attended by representatives from Slovenia, Iceland, Switzerland, Lithuania, and the UK, provided a valuable opportunity to share progress on the project at the European level.

The focus of the meeting was the development of a toolkit for effective communication about low vision, an initiative that aligns with ABILITY's objective of enhancing accessibility for visually impaired individuals. ABILITY project representative, Vilmantas Balčikonis, from Lithuanian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted (LASS), introduced the development of a haptic tablet featuring localized feedback and a full-page Braille display. This technology aims to provide a more affordable and versatile alternative to existing market solutions, with potential applications in education, employment, and independent living.

The meeting allowed for meaningful discussions on how this technology could contribute to improving representation and inclusion for visually impaired people. Sharing the ABILITY project with such a knowledgeable and diverse audience at the European level was an important step in advancing the project’s goals and raising awareness of its potential impact