Abstract

For the uninitiated, carrying out research about technology for the benefit of blind or visually impaired individuals might seem like a daunting process. Many people have not met a blind person, or if they have, it might be an experience limited to one specific individual or interaction. User needs in this area of technology require some differentiation, however the actual work is not much different from typical practices in researching user experiences. This chapter will help the reader identify conceptual and logistical considerations that will support impactful research practices and technology development. Because many of these best practices are influenced by a research team’s philosophical approach in working with individuals who are blind or visually impaired, the introduction aims to situate the reader’s own perspective in this area of work.