Queen's researchers to help blind access web

As part of a major European project, Queen's researchers have unveiled plans which could help the visually impaired and blind people make better use of the Internet.

The 'ENABLED' initiative, which has received 3.8 million euro in funding, will allow researchers from the University's Virtual Engineering Centre (VEC) and the Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC) to join forces in a bid to devise innovative new methods to help the visually impaired and blind guide their way through the web.

Principal investigator Professor Alan Marshall, from the Virtual Engineering Centre, said there was huge concern that while most sighted people were becoming more technologically advanced, those with visual impairment disabilities were being left behind.

"The Internet has a great impact on people's lives,” he said. “Through the web information can be accessed remotely, people can interact with friends or family and services such as online shopping, paying bills and distant learning can be provided to the public.”

As part of the three-year project trials will be carried out in Belfast in conjunction with the Blind Centre for Northern Ireland (BCNI) and the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB NI) which will help organise user focus groups and training and evaluation sessions.

(MB/GB)