2023 Volume 65 Issue 1 Pages 70-99
Support systems have been developed to facilitate the active participation of the visually and hearing impaired, as these impairments limit information acquisition and activities. However, efforts to improve the quality and quantity of information presented to persons with disabilities are still in the developmental stage due to the unique perception and recognition styles in persons with visual and hearing impairments. By clarifying such perception and recognition mechanisms and the current status of assistive technologies, researchers can develop support schemes taking advantage of the abilities of people with visual and hearing impairments, and extend their information processing. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to organize the unique characteristics of perceptual ability and communication strategies reportedly acquired by persons with visual and hearing impairments and the information assurance methods based on sensory substitution. For the visually impaired, we describe a visual substitution system that focuses on sound and tactile information, in addition to their sensory substitution functions. We also introduce example applications through support methods in parasports and computer games. For the hearing impaired, we review communication methods and support strategies using information devices.
