53 Innovations for the Blind
From Blind Time Tellers to Tactile Teaching Pens:
Meghan Young — Jan 26, 2010 — Art & Design
There are some things that can’t be cured, yet with our advancing technology, it’s not surprising that there have been quite a few inventions to make life easier. I’ve compiled a cluster devoted to innovations for the blind. This is just one of many disabilities that scientists and technicians have tried to help through technology. See what they have come up with.
53
Braille Tattoos
Body Modifications for the Blind Make Sight and Touch Statements
52
Bionic Eye Restores Sight to the Blind
51
Toys for the Blind
Textured Rubik's Cube for the Blind
50
Playboy in Braille
49
$10 Hand-Held Braille Writer
48
Braille Watches
The X-Watch
47
Braille Wine Bottle
46
Insightful Packaging Campaigns
Blind Foundation Guerrilla Grocery Ads Highlight Lack of Braille
45
Porn For The Blind
Naughty Reading for the Visually Impaired
44
Avatars For The Blind
Irish IBM Students Brighten Second Life
43
Blind Photographers
Visually Impaired Artists Find Their Vision Through the Lens
42
Camera for the Blind
Touch Sight
41
Tattoos for the Blind
Braille Ink Offers Another Dimension of Body Design
40
Dining In The Dark
Legally Blind Servers At O. Noir
39
Text-to-Voice Wands
'Voice Stick' Facilitates the Blind, the Elderly and the Lazy
38
Braille Wallpaper
Textile Wall Coverings by Ilias Fotopoulos Tell a Story
37
Braille Graffiti
Art For The Blind
36
Controverisal Fashion for the Blind
Braille Tees
35
Microsoft Targets Blind
Word Docs Translated to Audio With Daisy
34
Cell Phones for the Blind
Nokia knfbReader Mobile
33
Braille Label Makers
Innovative Design Creates Stickers for Visually Impaired
32
Braille Watches
‘Feel the Time' Lets You Tell Time by Touch
31
Braille Campaign
McCann Erickson "Dots" Ad
30
Sight-Free Brain Teasers
Rubik's Cubes Are Made for the Blind (UPDATE)
29
Painting for the Blind
‘Touch Colour' Uses Heat Identifiers to Pick Hues & Create Art
28
Phones for the Disabled
Braille and Surface Scanner Cell Phones
27
Braille Architecture
Love is Blind by Jessica Lertvilai of Vest Collective
26
Implant Restores Sight to the Blind
Artificial Cornea
25
Blind Time Tellers
The Braille Wristwatch Makes Telling Time Simpler and Intuitive
24
Braille Mobile Phones
Seonkeun Park Creates a Mobile for the Visually Impaired
23
Multifunctional Translators
SVLT Helps the Blind and Deaf Communicate
22
Braille Band-Aid Boxes
U.S. Seeing Textured Packaging for the Visually Impaired
21
Tactile Wand is the New Blind Stick
The Cand Gets Wiimoted
20
Braille Mobiles
The Universal Phone Designed for the Blind
19
Guide Dog GPS
Peepo Device is a Safe Way to Expand Travel for the Blind
18
PDA For The Blind
GW Micro VoiceSense
17
Braille E-Books
The Perfect Gadget for Visually-Impaired Readers
16
Braille Measuring Devices
The Tikk-Tekk Rainbow is Designed for the Blind
15
Mugs for the Sightless
The Braun Bell Makes Beverage Pouring Easier for the Blind
14
Textured Flash Cards
Hello Haptic Lets Blind Children Learn About the Outdoors
13
Braille PIN Cards
Visual Assistance Cards for the Blind
12
Tactile Teaching Pencils
Feelor Touch the Color Pencils Help Blind Children Learn Different Hues
11
Braille Mobile Phones
Zhenwei You's 'B-Touchphone' Gives Technological Sight to the Blind
10
Labelmakers for the Blind
The 6dot Braille Labeler Makes Finding Things Simple Sans Sight
9
Embossed Labels
The Braille Printer Helps Visually Challenged Identify Items
8
Sightless Drivers
Virginia Tech Students Fix Up a Buggy to be Operated by the Blind
7
Blind Pilots
Man Flies From London to Sydney Proving the Blind Can Have Fun Too
6
DIY Braille
AccuBraille Adds Dots Everywhere
5
Visuals for the Blind
Brain Port Becomes Commercially Available Soon
4
Braille Book Readers
The Haptic Reader Concept Brings Basic Books to Life for the Visually Impaire
3
Humans as Bats
CASBliP Aids the Blind By Using a Sound Map
2
Blind Poetry
Australian Designers Create Braille Jewellery Line
1
Braille Textured Home Decor
The Love Is Blind Vase
Related Ideas
Empowering Walking Sticks
18 Designers Conceptualized Walking Sticks for the Future Selves
Smart Walking Canes
The CAN Go Smart Cane Enhances Senior Safety with Artificial Intelligence
Accessibility-Focused Self-Driving Technology
Rick Hansen Foundation Partners with A&K Robotics
AI-Powered Calculators
The 'OBSCURA' Calculator Concept by Divyansh Tripathi is Ultra-Advanced
Long-Lasting Compact Pens
The NanoInk From InnoZoom Outlasts 100 Regular Pencils
Customizable Workplace Productivity Lights
The Busy Tag Lets Users Express Themselves
Bone Conduction Hearing Aids
The 'Rezonance' Hearing Aid Concept Prioritizes Comfort
Nostalgic Cellphone Digital Devices
Aalto University Launched the Nokia Design Archives
AI-Fuelled Ballpoint Pens
The XNote is a ChatGPT-Enhanced Pen for Digital Drawings
Automated Adjustment Walking Sticks
The Conceptual 'Halo' Smart Cane by Claire Ko is Advanced
Inclusion-Focused Doll Collections
Barbie's New Doll and Capsule Celebrates the Visually Impaired
Hands-Free Car Innovations
Ford Partnered with the British Deaf Association to Launch an Ad
Intelligent Accessible Light Designs
The Conceptual 'Lamptok' Light Supports the Hearing Impaired
Autocomplete Mechanical Keyboards
The Bored Intelligent Keyboard Offers Three-Times Faster Typing
Color Blindness-Exclusive Billboards
TD Unveils a Campaign to Highlight Its Accessibility Adapter
Vison Loss Research Fundraisers
Fighting Blindness Canada Held the 'Move for Sight' Fundraiser
Emerging Technology Publications
New Society Has Launched Its Inaugural Book About Technology
Hand-Worn Athlete Smart Displays
The 'zIng' Hand-Worn Smart Display by Anuj Pate is Intuitive
Educational Exploration Binoculars
The Conceptual 'BINO' Mixed Reality Device Works in Many Ways
Hand Tremor-Assisting Intelligent Gloves
Steadiwear Debuts the Third-Generation Steadi-3 Glove
Accessibility-Focused Packaging Designs
Müller Debuts Accessible Packaging Designs
Accessibility-Focused Stickers
GE's 'Access Kit' Makes Household Appliances More Accessible
LiDAR-Powered Visual Impairment Headsets
.lumen Glasses Guide Wearers with Haptic Feedback
Best-Selling Adaptive Apparel
Anthropologie Launches a New Adaptive Apparel Capsule
Keyboard-Intact E-Ink Smartphones
The Minimalist Phone Has a Juxtaposing Design Language
3D-Printed E Ink Typewriters
Vincente Cruz Designs the Tapico Typer with a Minimal Look
Sensory Immersion Tools
Lifelines Activate the Body's Natural Stress Relivers
Resurrected Used Smartphones
Think Tank Team Makes Artifacts with Project Afterlife
Performance Clog Innovations
Blundstone Transforms Industrial Heritage into Modern Comfort Design
Computer-Vision Self-Service Kiosks
Toshiba's Vision Kiosk Identifies Items Without Barcodes
T-Shaped Remote Controls
The Sightless Remote Control by Gisung Han is Hard to Misplace
Scenic Audio Apps
The Honda Scenic Audio App is Informed by the Perkins School for the Blind
Minimal Desk Accessories Concepts
The DESKRISK Series Organizes the Working Space
Electronic 3D Book Concepts
The bbook Concept is Designed for the Visually Impaired
Creativity Time Capsules
Crayola's Campaign for Creativity Reunites Adults with Childhood Art
Multipurpose Lifestyle Tablets
The iScream Homelearn Book Works in Many Orientations
Accessibility-Enhancing Beauty Packaging
The Boticário Group Launches Inclusive Accessories
Scannable Infant Products
SMA Nutrition Introduced NaviLens Codes into its Product Packaging
Touch Message Wearables
The Bond Touch 4 Helps People Stay Connected with Haptic Technology
Affordable 3D-Printed Prosthetics
The 'Lunet' Mechanical Prosthetic by David Edquilang is Advanced
Audio-Amplifying Glasses
Nuance Glasses Help Those with Hearing Loss
Speech-to-Text Assistive Pens
The World Literacy Foundation Creates the Literacy Pen
Industrial Handheld Printer Units
The 'Scribe' Handheld Printer by John Branca is All-in-One
Braille Advent Calendars
Purdys Chocolatier Launched an Accessible Advent Calendar
Engaging Braille Education Devices
The Braille Learning Device is Based on the Six-Dot Arrangement
Accessible Skincare Gift Branding
These NIVEA Gift Packs Feature NaviLens Technology in the UK
Personalized Health Gadgets
Bevel Launched a New Product That Leverages Data from Wearable Devices
Tremor Therapy Wearables
Cala kIQ Improves the Lives of People with Essential Tremor & Parkinson’s
Hearing Aid Wearable Glasses
The Bruckhoff Spectacle Aids are a Non-Intrusive Hearing Enhancer
Ocular Support Smartphones
The TCL 40 NXTPAPER is a CES 2024 Innovation Optimized for Human Eyes
AI-Assisted Cooking Partnerships
Unilever and Be My Eyes Partnered to Support Shoppers
Night Vision Driving Systems
The Auto AI Night Vision System InfiRay NV2 is Debuting at CES 2024
Distraction-Free Keyboard-ConnectedTools
The BYOK Device is Designed to Foster Productivity
Sleek Robotic Wheelchair Designs
The KIMM Designs a New Self-Controlled Liberating Wheelchair
AI-Powered Biographers
bAIgrapher Helps People with Alzheimer's Write Their Life Stories
Accessibility-Centric AI Home Assistants
Visualfy Empowers Individuals with Hearing Loss
Inclusive Braille Toy Cars
Mattel Introduces a New Hot Wheels Braille Car
Visual-Aiding AI Gaming Features
JBL Quantum Introduces the Inclusive Guide Play Feature
Accessibility-Focused Flight Maps
Delta Aims to Enhance the In-Flight Experience for Passengers
Tech-Based Senior Programs
The National Council on Aging Taps AT&T to Help Seniors with Tech
Athlete-Approved Revolutionary Walking Aids
Sportcane Partners with NFL legend Ed 'Too Tall' Jones
Immersive Virtual Television Experiences
Television for Apple Vision Shapes the Future of TV
Reactive Robotic Textile Technologies
MotorSkins SELK Technology Brings Textiles to Life
Athletic Training Eyewear
'FalconFrames' Track Eye Movement During Visual Training
AI-Enhanced Hearing Accessibility Tools
Audus Technologies Introduces the Knisper Hearing Aids
Industrial Folding Mouse Designs
The Conceptual Emergency Foldable Mouse is Angular
Accessible Christmas Food Magazines
M&S and RNIB Created an Inclusive Magazine for the Holidays
Co-Branded Inclusive Packaging Apps
Haleon and Microsoft Join Forces to Enhance Accessibility
Empowering AI Voice Tools
Lenovo's AI Lullaby Helps People with ALS Communicate Effectively
AI-Powered OTC Hearing Aids
AVAtronics Debuts AI-Enriched Wideband Technology
Inclusive One-Handed Gamer Keyboards
This One-Handed Keyboard Concept is Accessible
Tactile Digital Comics
Webtoon and Dot Inc. are Bringing Inclusivity to Popular Series
Self-Updating E-Ink Newspapers
Project E Ink Presents Fresh Headlines Daily
Braille-Equipped Haircare Bottles
Wilde Unveils the New Blonde Enrich Shampoo and Conditioner Line
Tennis Computer Vision Systems
Tennis Blackbox Transforms iPhones Into Hawkeye Systems
Accessible Candy Branding
Nestlé Confectionery is Trialling Accessible QR Codes
Eco Eye-Friendly Display Technologies
The HANNspree ecoVISION Paper Display is Versatile
Inclusive Premium Haircare
Sisterwould Bottles Include Braille and Tactile Product Differentiators
Miniature Haptic Communicators
ONECOM's FINTIN V1 is a CES 2024 Innovation Award Winner
Artful Illusory Ads
giffgaff's Large-Scale Illusion Artwork Challenges Inattentional Blindness
Flying Umbrella Prototypes
This Hands-Free Device Hovers Above You to Protect From the Rain
Smart Home Rehabilitation Solutions
'VOCIC' Announced its Suite of Smart Home Products for 2024
Enhanced Outdoor Accessibility Initiatives
Hunt Hill Farm is Enhancing Outdoor Accessibility
AI-Powered Hearing Tools
Sonova's Sphere Infinio Uses Artificial Intelligence for its Hearing Aid
AI-Based Experiential Campaigns
#KnowtheSigns Uses AI to Raise Awareness on World Diabetes Day
AI-Powered Digital Document Accessibility
Adobe Implements Artificial Intelligence for Inclusivity
Nanotechnology-Enhanced Watch Protectors
The Watch Protect Company Debuts Innovative Solutions
Olympics-Themed Tech Accessories
These Samsung 2024 Summer Olympics Accessories are Creative
Ocular Disease-Detecting Apps
Clearly Vision for Apple Vision Pro Checks a User's Eye Sight
Adaptive Reading Sunglasses
32N Sunglasses by Deep Optics Seamlessly Switch Betwee Modes
Personalized Story Creators
TinkerTell Offers AI-Crafted Stories That Make Every Child the Hero
Enhanced Thumb Prosthetics
Dani Clode and Her Team Create the Third Thumb Device
Gesture-Controlled Apps
Spatial Touch Lets Users Navigate Tech With Their Fingers
Travel Accessibility Toolkits
Global Business Travel Association Foundation Debuts a New Toolkit
Tech-Equipped Eyewear Designs
Nautica Debuts a Collection of Smart Eyeglasses with Bluetooth Audio
Illuminated Leather Smartphone Technologies
Infinix 3D Lighting Leather Brightens Device Edges
Personalized Bed Time Reading
BlissFable Lets Kids Be the Protagonists of Their Own Stories
Clipping Pen Devices
The Clippen Can Be Easily Clipped onto Any Document
Senior Living Tech Accelerators
Rose Villa Senior Living & The Malden Collective Launch LiveWell™
AI-Powered Writing Tools
myStylus Seeks to Boost Academic and Professional Writing
Hand-Tracking Devices
PalmPlug is a Precise Hand-Tracking Device
Autism Awareness Tech Products
TORRAS Presents its COOLiFY Cyber Product in New Campaign
Personalized Bedtime Stories
StoryGenius Let's Parents Insert Their Children Into Books
Braille Dining Menus
Radisson Hotel Group Has Launched Braille Menus to Increase Accessibility
Non-Invasive Incontinence Wearables
ELITONE URGE is a CES 2024 Innovation Awards Honoree
AI-Powered Visual Support
Be My Eyes and Microsoft Use AI to Help Blind and Low-Vision Customers
Upgraded OTC Hearing Aids
Lucid Hearing launches new over-the-counter hearing aids
Accessibile Zoo Experiences
Tallinn Zoo Has Launched a Pilot Project Using the NaviLens App
Invisibility-Illusion Portable Cloaks
The Invisibility Shield Co. Relies on Science
Voice-Enabled Digital Paper Tools
Marvin Quickens the Process of Interacting with Complex Papers
Accessibility-Centered Ads
Apple's Holiday Ad Highlights Accessibility with AirPods Pro 2
Dyslexic-Friendly Educational Initiatives
DyslexicU Promotes the Concept of Dyslexic Thinking
Sensory Museum Tours
The Dock Museum in Barrow Aims to Increase Accessibility for Blind Visitors
Home Mobility Accessible Furniture
Capella Design Creates Furniture that Blend Style and Function
AI-Powered Work Health Monitors
BLiiNK Uses AI to Detect Eye Strain, Bad Posture, and More
Joy-Infused Writing Support
InkJot is an App That Adds More Fun to the Writing Process
Inclusive Colorblind-Accessible Games
Mattel is Adding Colorblind Identification Symbols
Upgraded Adaptive Sports Components
Bridgestone Supports Athletes at the 2024 Paralympic Games
Keepsake Family Legacy Books
Kindred Tales Turn Family Memories into a Book to Cherish Forever
AI-Powered Therapy Apps
Sonia Makes AI Therapy Accessible Anytime and Anywhere
Digital Eye Health Preservation
Blink Eye Uses the 20-20-20 Rule to Reduce Strain
Upgraded Accessible Airport Services
Halifax Stanfield Debtuts Three New Accessibility Services
Animal-Perspective Video Cameras
A Team of Researchers Develop a Special Imaging System
Accessibility-Promoting Voter Tools
The McGonagle Reader Assists Consumers with Visual Impairments
Accessible Restroom Enhancements
Good2Go and RightHear Introduce a Restroom Security Partnership
Eye-Tracking Technology Functions
Apple Implements Eye-Tracking Features to Recent Products
Inclusivity-Enhancing Campaigns
Timekettle Aims to Break Down Language Barriers in Schools
Inventive Charity Initiatives
Spark Financial's Annual Charity Initiative is for Autism Awareness
Alerting Boiled Water Discs
The Water Boil Alert Disc Aids Visual Impairments or Memory Challenges
Minimal Braille Learning Devices
SAQ Design Introduces a Look at the SMARTIO EDU Device
Inclusive Rice Snack Packaging
Rice Krispies Unveils its Braille Packaging and Writable Wrapper
Summarized Neuroscience News
Neurotech News Summarizes the Science World Without the Jargon
Eye Strain-Reducing Plug-Ins
Blinko Can Improve Eye Troubles with Just a Few Minutes Every Day
Inclusivity-Focused Consulting Firms
HandiAcc Works on the Local Level to Improve Accessibility
Smartphone-Fuelled Stopwatch Concepts
The SINK Concept is a Smartphone-Powered Device
Colorblind-Accessible Games
Mattel Commits to Creating Inclusive Play and Game Options
Domed Haptic Feedback Trackpads
The Conceptual 'PAD' Trackpad by Ivan Llaneza is Intuitive
Accessible Home Services Marketplaces
Urban Company Recently Made Its Platform More Accessible
Empowering Educational Initiatives
Sight School Empowers Individuals with Visual Impairments
Empowering Nonprofit Organizations
NTI is Committed to Supporting the Disability Community