The Emirates Association of the Visually Impaired is set to organise an exhibition for cutting-edge visual disability technologies in Sharjah.
Sight ME will run from 13th-15th February at the emirate’s Expo Centre.
Adil Alzamar, chairman of the Association and head of the organising committee, said at a press conference on Tuesday that the event is the “only exhibition in the region” displaying the latest innovations and technologies in the field of specialised aids for the visually impaired.
He added that Sight Me is the first of its kind in the region, and will discuss a wide range of topics with experts from a range of countries leading the conversation
Workshops will also focus on the most pressing issues currently faced by the visually impaired. “This will be a perfect opportunity to exchange views and experiences, which will positively reflect on the visually impaired and the society in general,” he said.
International, regional and local experts will participate in the event and showcase the latest technologies along with other governmental and non-governmental organisations.
The world’s biggest technology players have been making an increasing effort to develop smart applications and services that can help those with physical impairments.
In July last year, Microsoft released its Seeing AI app to help the visually impaired.
The app recognises people it’s seen before, and guess strangers’ ages and emotions, and can identify household products by scanning barcodes.
The firm first revealed a prototype of the technology to developers as an add-on to smart glasses at its Build conference in 2016.
KNFB reader, meanwhile, converts printed text into speech to provide “accurate, fast, and efficient access” to both single and multiple page documents with the tap of a button on the iPhone.
Be My Eyes allows app users to remotely help blind people through a live video connection.
