User experience of mainstream and assistive technologies for people with visual impairments

BACKGROUND: There is lack of understanding of "user experience"; i.e. how people with visual impairments use today's emerging mainstream technologies along with assistive technologies, which would ultimately lead to less user-friendly designs. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study is to advance knowledge of user needs and concerns about usability of mainstream and assistive technologies. METHODS: The archival research method was used to obtain data via online forum sites. After reviewing six forum sites, this study has found 92 messages that specifically discussed the use of technology, and reviewed the messages by comparing them with ten usability heuristics by Nielsen. RESULTS: The majority of usability problems were associated with flexibility and efficiency of use; help for users to recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors; and help documentation. CONCLUSIONS: It is imperative to focus on improving usability of both assistive and mainstream technologies in use by people with visual impairments.