Digital help for blind people - 6 Minute English

Hello. This is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I’m Neil.

And I’m Georgina.

What do Homer, Ray Charles and Jorge Borges all have in common, Georgina?

Hmm, so that’s the ancient Greek poet, Homer; American singer, Ray Charles;

and Argentine writer, Jorge Luis Borges…

I can’t see much in common there, Neil.

Well, the answer is that they were all blind.

Ah! But that obviously didn’t hold them back -

I mean, they were some of the greatest artists ever!

Right, but I wonder how easy they would find it living and working

in the modern world.

Blind people can use a guide dog or a white cane to help them move around.

Yes, but a white cane is hardly advanced technology!

Recently, smartphone apps have been invented which dramatically

improve the lives of blind people around the world.

In this programme on blindness in the digital age we’ll be looking

at some of these inventions, known collectively as assistive technology –

that’s any software or equipment that helps people

work around their disabilities or challenges.

But first it’s time for my quiz question, Georgina.

In 1842 a technique of using fingers to feel printed raised

dots was invented which allowed blind people to read.

But who invented it? Was it: a) Margaret Walker?, b) Louis Braille?,

or, c) Samuel Morse?

Hmm, I’ve heard of Morse code but that wouldn’t help blind people read,

so I think it’s, b) Louis Braille.

OK, Georgina, we’ll find out the answer at the end of the programme.

One remarkable feature of the latest assistive technology is its practicality.

Smartphone apps like ‘BeMyEyes’ allow blind users to find lost keys,

cross busy roads and even colour match their clothes.

Brian Mwenda is CEO of a Kenyan company developing this kind of technology.

Here he explains to BBC World Service programme, Digital Planet,

how his devices seek to enhance, not replace, the traditional white cane:

The device is very compatible with any kind of white cane.

So, once you clip it on to any white cane it works perfectly to detect

the obstacles in front of you, and it relies on echo-location.

So, echo-location is the same technology used by bats and dolphins

to detect prey and obstacles and all that.

You send out a sound pulse and then once it bounces off an obstacle,

you can tell how far the obstacle is.

When attached to a white cane, the digital device - called ‘Sixth Sense’ -

can detect obstacles – objects which block your way,

making it difficult for you to move forward.

‘Sixth Sense’ works using echo-location, a kind of ultrasound like

that used by bats who send out sound waves which bounce off

surrounding objects.

The returning echoes show where these objects are located.

Some of the assistive apps are so smart they can even tell what kind of

object is coming up ahead – be it a friend, a shop door or a speeding car.

I guess being able to move around confidently really boosts

people’s independence.

Absolutely. And it’s challenging stereotypes around blindness too.

Blogger, Fern Lulham, who is blind herself, uses assistive apps every day.

Here she is talking to BBC World Service’s, Digital Planet:

I think the more that society sees blind people in the community,

at work, in relationships it does help to tackle all of these stereotypes,

it helps people to see blind and visually-impaired people in a whole new way

and it just normalises disability – that’s what we need, we need to see

people just getting on with their life and doing it and then people won’t

see it as such a big deal anymore, it’ll just be the ordinary.

Fern distinguishes between people who are blind, or unable to see,

and those who are visually impaired – experience a decreased ability to see.

Assistive tech helps blind people lead normal, independent lives

within their local communities.

Fern hopes that this will help normalise disability –

treat something as normal which has not been accepted as normal before…

…so being blind doesn’t have to be a big deal – an informal way

to say something is not a serious problem.

Just keep your eyes closed for a minute and try moving around the room.

You’ll soon see how difficult it is… and how life changing this technology can be.

Being able to read books must also open up a world of imagination.

So what was the answer to your quiz question, Neil?

Ah yes.

I asked Georgina who invented the system of reading where

fingertips are used to feel patterns of printed raised dots.

What did you say, Georgina?

I thought it was, b) Louis Braille.

Which was…of course the correct answer! Well done, Georgina –

Louise Braille the inventor of a reading system which is known

worldwide simply as braille.

I suppose braille is an early example of assistive technology –

systems and equipment that assist people with disabilities to

perform everyday functions.

Let’s recap the rest of the vocabulary, Neil.

OK. An obstacle is an object that is in your way and blocks your movement.

Some assisted technology works using echo-location –

a system of ultrasound detection used by bats.

Being blind is different from being visually impaired -

having a decreased ability to see, whether disabling or not.

And finally, the hope is that assistive phone apps can help normalise

disability – change the perception of something into being

accepted as normal…

...so that disability is no longer a big deal – not a big problem.

That’s all for this programme but join us again soon at

6 Minute English…

…and remember you can find many more 6 Minute topics

and useful vocabulary archived on bbclearningenglish.com.

Don’t forget we also have an app you can download for free

from the app stores.

And of course we are all over social media, so come on over and say hi.

Goodbye for now!

Bye!