In a comprehensive article in the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, entitled "Building Inclusive Physical Activity Communities for People with Vision Loss," James H. Rimmer stated, "One of the major barriers to access for people with vision loss is inaccessible exercise equipment."
Today, many pieces of exercise equipment use a flat control panel interface with no tactile markings or speech output. They also feature display screens with poor contrast people living with vision loss cannot read. The flat panel controls are also often labeled in small fonts and poorly contrasting colors. Because of their interface design, it is difficult and most likely impossible to use all of the machines' features independently if you are blind or have low vision. AFB TECH evaluates exercise equipment and reports on accessibility, so people with vision loss can find and use exercise equipment to improve and maintain their overall health.
Published Results
Exercising Your Right to Fitness: An Overview of the Accessibility of Exercise Equipment, AccessWorld®, Vol. 8, No. 6, November 2007
