Market Trends of Assistive Technologies for Visually Impaired Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Assistive Technologies for Visually Impaired Market according to our research experts:
The Braille Computers/Systems Segment is Expected to Witness Significant Growth Over the Forecast Period
Braille Computers/Systems are specially designed computers that consist of a refreshable braille display device connected to a standard computer. The refreshable braille display is made of electronically driven pins that display braille pop-ups after translating the display output into braille. Braille computers are highly utilized for teaching and working purposes by visually impaired or blind individuals. These systems consist of specialized software (such as screen readers, JAWS) to assist visually impaired or blind individuals in reading and writing with these computers. The use of braille computers is being promoted and emphasized by social groups, schools, etc. For instance, in February 2022, Hadley, a United States-based non-profit organization and the leader in remote learning for visually impaired adults in the United States, launched a series of interactive workshops, Braille for Everyday Use.
Further, in September 2022, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) launched its refreshable braille display, Orbit Reader 20, in the United Kingdom. The braille display consists of 20 refreshable eight-dot braille cells and offers to assist in book reading with simple notetaking, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, and an SD card.
Therefore, the braille computers/systems segment is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period due to its active use in education and work. Also, the recent launches of software and educational workshops are expected to bolster the growth of the segment further.
North America is Expected to Dominate the Assistive Technologies for Visually Impaired Market
North America is expected to dominate the market owing to factors such as the large population of visually impaired or blind people, the vast geriatric population, the advanced healthcare and education infrastructure, and the growing expenditure for the visually impaired.
There are several grants which offer financial assistance to the visually impaired or blind individuals, which aid in buying the needful devices and training. Some of the grants available for visually impaired or blind individuals, such as the Quality of Life Grant and the Ed Cossart Immediate Needs Grant, offer USD 5,000 and USD 1,500 per person every year, respectively. Some scholarship grants are provided by the American Council of the Blind (ACB), the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER), the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), and many more. In September 2022, NewHaptics, an innovative display technology company, was awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant of USD 1.7 million by the National Eye Institute of the NIH. The grant would help the company assist individuals with vision loss and improve their quality of life through their vision research. The grant would help the company further develop its novel tactile display technology at a low cost and offer a multiline refreshable braille display for the visually impaired or blind.
The presence of leading players is also driving the growth of assistive technologies for the visually impaired market. Several leading players have undertaken key developments in the region. For instance, in September 2022, American Thermoform Corp. acquired the blind assistive products manufacturer Zychem Technologies Ltd. The acquisition would strengthen the visually impaired assistive product portfolio of American Thermoform Corp. Further, in April 2022, Vispero partnered with McDonald's to offer McDonald's customers the chance to experience Vispero's JAWS Kiosk. The self-order kiosk interface would assist visually impaired or blind customers in accessing the food menu. Further, these continuous developments in the region are anticipated to drive the growth of the market in the region.
Therefore, owing to the vast population of visually impaired and blind people, advanced education and healthcare expenditure, and recent developments, the studied market is anticipated to grow further in the North American region.
