Purpose: Individuals with visual impairments use assistive technology in various aspects of life. Professionals who work with visually impaired people need to know about assistive technologies. The purpose of this study was to analyse the benefits and challenges of assistive technologies by assessing the degree of satisfaction with assistive technologies in different life situations expressed both by users and by professionals.Materials and Methods: Data were collected from 36 individuals with visual impairments and 27 professionals using online questionnaires. Further information was obtained from five individuals with visual impairments through focus group interviews.Results: The results show that 26 (72.2%) individuals with visual impairments and almost all professionals (N = 25; 92.6%) acknowledge the benefits of using assistive technology. They recognise the importance of assistive technology in independent living for individuals with visual impairments. However, 27 (75%) individuals with visual impairment and 26 (96.3%) professionals consider financial constraints to be the biggest problem.Conclusion: More cost-effective technologies need to be developed, and social policies and opportunities created so that every individual with visual impairment can obtain assistive technologies that meet their needs. This would increase the independence of individuals with visual impairments in all areas of life.
Keywords: Benefits of assistive technology; challenges in the use of assistive technology; education; education and rehabilitation professionals; rehabilitation; visual impairment.
Assistive technology support independent living of individuals with visual impairments in all aspects of their livesIndividuals with visual impairments benefit from use of assistive technology but often cannot afford it because it is too expensiveTo increase the independence of individuals with visual impairments, we need to develop good legislation and create less expensive assistive technology that is affordable for everyoneTo find the best possible solution for individuals, we need to conduct a functional assessment and train professionals and individuals with visual impairments in the use of assistive technology.