Background
Omnitor AB is a Swedish private company that has developed an app named “eCtouch,” which supports remote real-time communication with audio, video, and text. eCtouch is mainly used by deaf and hard of hearing citizens in Sweden. However, eCtouch also supports screen readers and screen magnifiers, making it usable for vision-impaired, blind, and deafblind citizens.
Duration
The project, lasting 18 months, is being funded by Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (government authority under the Ministry of Infrastructure in Sweden).
Objectives
The objective of the project entails to further improve eCtouch’s user friendliness for vision impaired, blind, and deaf and blind citizens, and more specifically the support for Braille displays which is currently a challenge.
Therefore, eCtouch Braille is a further development of the eCtouch app with improvements for the visually impaired and deafblind, especially for those who are braille users and utilise braille displays. New text windows for real-time text during calls will be developed for braille displays with different settings so that the app can be customized. Getting text to work and conveying the right information during conversations with the entire ecosystem of real-time text, screen readers and braille displays is a challenge. The app will also be improved in terms of magnification, keyboard shortcuts, and navigation. UI/UX should be logical, simple, clear, and adaptable, e.g., choice of colour preference. Furthermore, there is intention to simplify the migration from text phone to eCtouch Braille by copying some functions. A big advantage of the app is that it uses real-time text, which is similar to text phones. It is also important to note that the app can be adapted to changing needs, such as impaired vision. The app also supports custom perception of incoming calls.
Moreover, WFDB (in support of the International Disability Alliance) is a key partner in the project since they will ensure the inclusion and involvement of persons with deafblindness and ensure the widespread dissemination of the activities and results.
WFDB’s role
More specifically, WFDB will recruit a diversity of users with deafblindness and run a small pilot in Spain, in collaboration with national and local organizations of persons with deafblindness and partners. The purpose is for persons with deafblindness, especially Braille users, to test the app eCtouch Braille and provide their feedback to improve the accessibility of the product.
Recent activities
- In June 2024, WFDB organized a 1-day workshop in Madrid with 18 users with deafblindness from different parts of Spain and their interpreters. The workshop aimed to test the app and gather feedback.
- In July 2024, WFDB held a follow-up webinar with users to review the progress of the app and collect additional feedback.
- WFDB produced detailed reports with suggestions for improvements
- Disseminated the results throughout the WFDB network.
Focal point inside WFDB
Lucia D’Arino, WFDB Programme Advisor: projects@wfdb.eu