Related Experiment Videos
Disability abated: audio-cassettes for the visually impaired
D Marsland1, A S Leoussi, P Norcross
1Centre for Evaluation of Research, West London Institute, Isleworth, Middlesex.
Journal of the Royal Society of Health
|February 1, 1994
Summary
Visually impaired individuals actively seek news via radio, television, and audio-cassettes. Audio-cassettes are highly valued for information and companionship, indicating a substantial demand for a national audio-cassette service.
Area of Science:
- Accessibility studies
- Media consumption
- Assistive technology
Background:
- Visually impaired individuals require accessible methods for news and current affairs.
- Traditional media access can be challenging for those with visual impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the media consumption habits of visually impaired people.
- To assess the role and reception of audio-cassettes among the visually impaired population.
- To determine the demand for a national audio-cassette service.
Main Methods:
- Nation-wide interview study.
- Sample size of 320 visually impaired individuals.
- Data collection on media usage and preferences.
Main Results:
- Visually impaired people are keen on news and current affairs.
- Radio and television are primary information sources.
- Audio-cassettes, especially recorded periodicals, are highly utilized and positively received.
- Audio-cassettes provide information, companionship, and a sense of purpose.
Conclusions:
- A significant majority of visually impaired individuals regularly use audio-cassettes.
- Audio-cassettes fulfill important informational and emotional needs.
- There is substantial unmet need and demand for a national audio-cassette service for the visually impaired.