Improving text input for blind smartphone users
Official title: Intelligent Text Input and Editing Methods on Smartphones for Blind Users
Funded at State University New York Stony Brook · NIH-11013946 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for better ways for blind people to type and edit text on their smartphones using touch gestures, making it easier for them to communicate and handle everyday tasks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $415,763 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY035688-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11013946 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are blind or visually impaired and regularly use smartphones for communication and daily activities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use smartphones or have no interest in text input and editing may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop innovative methods for blind users to input and edit text on smartphones more efficiently. Currently, blind users face significant challenges with slow typing speeds and cumbersome editing processes. The project will explore a new gesture-based input method that allows users to enter text using touch gestures on the smartphone's keyboard, enhancing their ability to communicate and perform daily tasks. By focusing on non-visual input techniques, the research seeks to make smartphones more accessible and user-friendly for individuals with visual impairments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could greatly improve the efficiency and ease of text communication for blind smartphone users.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing assistive technologies for blind users, indicating that innovative approaches like gesture input could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
State University New York Stony Brook
Stony Brook, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bi, Xiaojun — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Bi, Xiaojun
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.