Visual impairment is a persistent challenge in global healthcare spectrum and the condition is expected to expedite further with multifold rise imaging population along with associated prevalence of age induced medical conditions such as glaucoma and degeneration. Additionally, surged prevalence of diabetes further induces diabetic retinopathy. Conditions as such significantly degenerate quality of life amongst visually impaired populace. To offset such bottlenecks, dedicated studies are underway to diversify scope of technological excellence in the realm of visual rehabilitation. Technological milestones such as wearable technology is expected to multiply return on investments in assistive technologies for visually impaired market.
According to the WHO, about 1.3 billion people worldwide, live with a certain form of vision impairment, where 80% of these vision impairments are avoidable. However, population growth and ageing is expected to foster the risk of vision impairment. There are several effective interventions designed to support visually impaired people and to improve the quality of life.
All the systems, devices, services and appliances that are used by the disabled to support their everyday lives, deliver a safe mobility, make their activities easier, and are therefore included under assistive technologies. These technologies are used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
.png "Global Assistive Technologies For Visually Impaired Market 2019-2028 (USD Million)")
Assistive Technologies for Visually Impaired Market Scope
| Metrics | Details |
| Base Year | 2020 |
| Historic Data | 2018-2019 |
| Forecast Period | 2021-2028 |
| Study Period | 2018-2028 |
| Forecast Unit | Value (USD) |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 8.7% during 2021-2028 |
| Segment Covered | Product, End-users, Regions |
| Regions Covered | North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, Middle East & Africa |
| Key Players Profiled | VFO, Dolphin Computer Access Ltd., HumanWare Group, Access Ingenuity, American Thermoform, Low Vision International and Cambium Learning among others |
Key Segments of the Global Assistive Technologies for Visually Impaired Market
Product Overview, 2019-2028 (USD Million)
- Educational Devices
- Braille Computers
- Braille Writers
- Reading Machines
- Mobility Devices
- Low Vision Devices
- Others
End-users Overview, 2019-2028 (USD Million)
- Blind Schools
- Hospital & Social Organizations
- Personal Use
Regional Overview, 2019-2028 (USD Million)
North America
- U.S.
- Canada
Europe
- UK
- Germany
- France
- Rest of Europe
Asia Pacific
- China
- Japan
- India
- Rest of Asia Pacific
South America
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Rest of South America
Middle East and Africa
- GCC
- Rest of Middle East and Africa
Reasons for the study
- The purpose of the study is to give an exhaustive outlook of the global assistive technologies for visually impaired market
- To evaluate the impact of increased demand for assistive technologies for visually impaired owing to large incidence of visual impairment. Major companies are therefore striving to offer innovative solutions coupled with the latest technological advancements to address the increasing demand.
What does the report include?
- The study on the global assistive technologies for visually impaired market includes qualitative factors such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities
- The study covers a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market segmented based on product, and end-users. Moreover, the study provides similar information for the key geographies.
- Actual market sizes and forecasts have been provided for all the above-mentioned segments.
- The study covers the competitive landscape of existing/prospective players in the assistive technologies for visually impaired industry and their strategic initiatives for product development.
Who should buy this report?
- This study is suitable for industry participants and stakeholders in the global assistive technologies for visually impaired market
- The report will benefit players associated in the assistive technologies for visually impaired supply chain
- Government organizations, regulatory authorities, policymakers, and organizations looking for investments in trends of the global assistive technologies for visually impaired market
- Analysts, researchers, educators, strategy managers, and government institutions looking for insights into the market to determine future strategies
There are many types of assistive technologies nowadays available to provision the blind and visually impaired, of which several are intended to deliver information through touch or sound that would conventionally be received visually. Among the few best known assistive technologies for the blind and visually impaired are the 'haptic aids', produced upon the responsiveness of touch. These include the traditional low tech devices, like the Braille texts and white canes, alongside inscribed or tangible maps and textured surfaces to assist navigation. Moreover, advanced high tech counterparts of these haptic aids, such as the cutting-edge Braille applications, smart canes and haptic computer devices, are also available.
Assistive technologies, which are under development, and not yet commercially available include the 'bionic eyes'. These are especially designed for the blind and visually impaired which change functioning of the optic system, by transforming light into electrical impulses. Another technology, commonly known as augmented spectacles are expected to help users by magnifying images, providing object and facial recognition, filtering colors using audio and so on. Furthermore, trends in the development of upcoming assistive technologies for the blind and visually impaired will enable wider mainstream technology developments. For instance, userled 'democratized' design and production is potential due to the advent of accessible 3D printers and development tools, upgraded wearability and portability is determined by miniaturization and proficiency gains for power sources and pioneering displays and interface devices using better touch screens, brain interfaces, gesture recognition, and haptic feedback systems, which can also benefit assistive technologies for the blind and visually impaired.
Product Segment
Based on product, the global assistive technologies for visually impaired market has been segmented into educational devices, mobilility devices, low vision devices, and others . Educational devices segment accumulated the maximum market share of over 57% in 2020 and is anticipated to retain its dominance through the forecast period. Educational devices are further categorized into braille computers, braille writers and reading machines. Braille computers held substantial share of the educational devices market.
Braille, is one of the traditional technologies available for visually impaired. However, little has changed in the electronic braille displays since the technology first appeared, as its design raises the cost. Classically, braille displays comprise of 10 - 80 cells in a linear display, while it adds to the cost with the increase in the number of cells.
Moreover, the cost of personal computers has dropped drastically in the past few years; the reduction in the price for a device with an electronic braille display has not. Thus, a small braille display that can connect a bluetooth to a tablet, computer or smartphone and fit’s in one’s pocket costs around USD 1,000 and a notetaker, that includes specifications covered in a tablet, such as email, WiFi, word processor with a small braille display, starts around USD 3,000. Hence, as the electronic braille system has been extremely costly from its onset, the Holy Grail foundation of braille displays, has been working on lowering the price of the displays, without compromising the durability of the display or the feel of the dots.
Another project called as the Holy Braille, by The University of Michigan's School of Information's Sile O'Modhrain, is developing a tactile graphic display device with a full-page braille, along with a flat screen tablet that users can touch. A major focus of this project has been on redesigning the movable pins or braille "dots" used on the existing electronic braille displays to build a prototype using a pneumatic system of bubbles and fluid to elevate the surface of the screen.
Other players building innovative new braille devices like the Holy Braille project include Blitab, which proposes a device with multiple lines of braille and insideOne, a 32-cell braille display, hybrid tablet with built in bottom of the screen and a touch screen with Perkins-style keyboard. All of these braille innovations are specifically designed to lower the costs of braille displays, with a view to create accessibility and expand customer base.
North America dominated the global assistive technologies for visually impaired market with USD 1.4 billion in 2020. Moreover, North America it is expected to retain its dominance through 2028. Significantly high per capita healthcare expenditure is a prime factor responsible for growth in this region. Due to the elevated incidence of visual impairment among geriatric patient pool, the US arose as the biggest market in North America.
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According to the National Eye Institute (U.S.), a part of the National Institutes of Health, by 2050 the number of people with visual impairment in the U.S. are estimated to double to about 8 million as the baby boomers reach 65 by 2029. Furthermore, 16.4 million people in the U.S. are projected to have trouble owing to correctable refractive errors such as hyperopia or myopia, which can be corrected using glasses, contacts or surgery. Meanwhile, in 2015, around 3.2 million people in the U.S. had visual impairment, in which they had 20/40 or poor vision with finest possible correction and another 8.2 million had vision difficulties because of uncorrected refractive error. In response to the situation, the American government is initiating several screening programs to recognize people with correctable vision problems and early signs of eye diseases. Early detection and intervention will aid towards preventing a substantial proportion of preventable vision loss.