Underestimated cerebral visual impairment requires innovative thinking when using AT

Abstract

The impact of cerebral visual impairment (CVI) obviously is widely underestimated and knowledge about CVI is not widespread. This article illustrates in which way the dysfunction of visually guided handmovements as well as simultanous attention demands rethinking hardware design especially of input devices. CVI dysfunctions are manyfold and special software is needed. The challenges of some aspects of CVI may be met by everyday hardware as modern smartphones providing numerous software which might show to be useful, even if designed for other purposes than CVI-rehabilitation. It is possible that useful software is already created (or may be created) when the open system invites to creative program develpement from the public. The role of user centered design should therefore be given more attention. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.