I have been using the same old assistive tech since the department of rehab hooked me up over 8 years ago. I have been working as a fully licensed insurance agent and as a tech consultant forever and though I make a decent lving I can't seem to afford the upgrades that I need. Apparently nobody felt like mentioning how expensive kids are so I had to find out the hard way LoL.
Anyways, in my many, many years of dealing with technology and assistive technology I've always kept my eyes on what's coming over the horizon for assistive tech and in all honesty there is some amazing equipment out there. IOS devices are better at it than most though, ironically most groups get into this laser focus on overcoming a singular piece of visual impairment rather than making something universally access helpful.
I do have an idea, I even have a sighted friend helping me out with schematics that would literally turn any IOS device into an amazing, tailored to each users needs, fully functional life tool. The technology for all of this to happen already exists, for some reason nobody has ever done it.
Although I am going to try to gain MFI certification from Apple (meaning I would be granted access to the necessary information on manufacturing accessories myself) I fear that I am not to earn that and I honestly cannot find how big the price tag would be.
From going over my plans with a couple of electrical and computer engineering buddies everything is reasonably simple since everything needed already exists and most of it is far more common that I had anticipated. I just need someone with a MFI certification and the know how to make all of my bits and pieces play nicely with an IOS device.
The ultimate goal is to make the "Swiss Army Knife" of assistive technology that can help those of us with vision impairment live and be that much more independent. According to my initial studies I am really VERY confident that the price tag can be under $1,200 USD - hopefully we can figure a means of making it half of that!
So if any of you AppleVis users out there know anyone that might be able to put me in touch with someone who develops or manufactures IOS hardware accessories of any kind please let me know. Additionally if anyone who comes across this is just interested in what exactly I am doing feel free to hit me up, I am trying to keep this whole project low key for the time being but I am also very excited and love to have feedback and ideas from others on what is going on.
Have a very happy new year nd thanks to the whole AppleVis community for making my life easier in 2015, you guys all rock!
By The Tiki Lab, 31 December, 2015
Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories
Comments
Good luck
Your project sounds really exciting, and I feel that if it is developed well, it could benefit users with many different disabilities. However, many people with disabilities prefer to only get assistive technology from the larger suppliers that are more well-known. I hope your project is successful.