Bitcoin for blind people

[Abiky]

I've been into Bitcoin for quite a few years, and I'm impressed to see how far it has reached in the mainstream world. It's the most widely-adopted cryptocurrency for decentralized payments worldwide without the need for a middleman. In its current state, Bitcoin works wonders for ordinary people like you and me. It's only a matter of putting the right BTC address and the number of coins to send to get started using the Bitcoin blockchain.

However, my concern is how blind people are able to get used to Bitcoin? To my knowledge, wallets (either with a GUI or CLI) don't have "text-to-speech" features to make blind people's lives easier. It'd be great if developers keep blind people in mind to help increase the adoption of the pioneer cryptocurrency in the mainstream world. The only thing I've found is an audiobook of the Bitcoin whitepaper which is a great solution to introduce blind people into the "mechanics" of Bitcoin.

Any thoughts?

[schuriken]

I've been into Bitcoin for quite a few years, and I'm impressed to see how far it has reached in the mainstream world. It's the most widely-adopted cryptocurrency for decentralized payments worldwide without the need for a middleman. In its current state, Bitcoin works wonders for ordinary people like you and me. It's only a matter of putting the right BTC address and the number of coins to send to get started using the Bitcoin blockchain.

However, my concern is how blind people are able to get used to Bitcoin? To my knowledge, wallets (either with a GUI or CLI) don't have "text-to-speech" features to make blind people's lives easier. It'd be great if developers keep blind people in mind to help increase the adoption of the pioneer cryptocurrency in the mainstream world. The only thing I've found is an audiobook of the Bitcoin whitepaper which is a great solution to introduce blind people into the "mechanics" of Bitcoin.

Any thoughts?

even after all these years people that are not blind also cant use bitcoin 100% correct . this evolution takes time to be fit in normal ways first.and after everything get normal and work normal (for example paying a coffe with crypto or buying milk with crypto wallet) then this tech can get upgrade and go to other step to be usable for everyone .first step is to everyone use crypto in all around the world then new project and solutions will come to be useful for blind people also. 

[Sanugarid]

Great idea however it lacks of something a driver for developers to come up with it. What I mean is the idea comes off too short, it would be that problematic at all because just think if it becomes real then what do you want for blind people to do then? Go out and spend their bitcoin? would not it be better if they have a company with them? I think it be a nice idea for digital wallets to make a sound (custom sound) for every expenditure. If this go real, then everything that revolves bitcoin should adjust too. imo.

[SeaBits]

I've been into Bitcoin for quite a few years, and I'm impressed to see how far it has reached in the mainstream world. It's the most widely-adopted cryptocurrency for decentralized payments worldwide without the need for a middleman. In its current state, Bitcoin works wonders for ordinary people like you and me. It's only a matter of putting the right BTC address and the number of coins to send to get started using the Bitcoin blockchain.

However, my concern is how blind people are able to get used to Bitcoin? To my knowledge, wallets (either with a GUI or CLI) don't have "text-to-speech" features to make blind people's lives easier. It'd be great if developers keep blind people in mind to help increase the adoption of the pioneer cryptocurrency in the mainstream world. The only thing I've found is an audiobook of the Bitcoin whitepaper which is a great solution to introduce blind people into the "mechanics" of Bitcoin.

Any thoughts?

Check out this project that goes over the wallet part: https://icywallet.com/ with a combination of ADA tools like screen readers they could visit an exchange's website to buy or trade coins. There are guidelines like WCAG here: https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/quickref/ that go over accessibility. I'm unaware of any exchanges are trading platforms that have incorporated this into their offerings, maybe someone else can chime in here.

[dothebeats]

Check out this project that goes over the wallet part: https://icywallet.com/ with a combination of ADA tools like screen readers they could visit an exchange's website to buy or trade coins. There are guidelines like WCAG here: https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/quickref/ that go over accessibility. I'm unaware of any exchanges are trading platforms that have incorporated this into their offerings, maybe someone else can chime in here.

Been reading about icywallet for quite some time now and I don't think why there isn't much interest towards the project. Little to almost no assistance for blind people is required to operate the thing, since it uses braille keyboards and audio to assist the visually impaired in operating his/her wallet. The main question that runs through my head though is how would a workaround be possible for reading a long string i.e. address? If, say a 'tag' is used for an address, how would the visually impaired know that it was not rigged in any way?

[gundala]

~~
Any thoughts?

Let alone for new innovations like this, facilities and other general services are still not optimal in providing services to people with disabilities. Of course, if there are developers who care about this it will surely give equal opportunities to disabled people to enjoy Crypto world. Although difficult, it does not mean impossible.

[ritu_bd]

I think a new device should be added to Blockchain technology, for all these blind people, where there is a need for any kind of online service, including the message Subject, as I talk about two things - first of all, 1: Crypto currency transactions, 2. Bank through. Transaction
How to make the device now, and how the blind man will deal? Answer: The device will be shaped like a mobile, so that a speaker, a small display, and a button, if the button is slightly larger, it is better to press the blind man's hand. As soon as the device is turned on, the device will tell the blind person through the spreaker that the blind person wants to transact, if the blind person says that he or she is Crypto currency  wants to make a transaction, then Crypto will take the currency stept, so that every step has to be added to that device, as if the blind person is directed to everything, and he hears the blind man say that he will do it, then the device itself. Go there, and the next step is to tell the blind man, the blind man will say his choice, like Addres, Amount, say the device will collect it, then the device will warn Amount what Sen will do if  Say yes, say Amount to hear Amount, Cancel to cancel the order. In many ways, I just give my idea that things would be more beautiful.

[YuginKadoya]

Well, the real problem for blind people is the Accessibility from a blind person perspective that he could see his Blockchain wallet more clearly and using the screen reader platform that lets you hear the words into audio so you can surely know how to transact and how many Bitcoin you had and so many other option but this is not enough because there are other features that are not really audible for this kind o application including the multiple sending to other Bitcoin address, it is still pretty hard for them to see it clearly,

Well this is the story of Craig McGee a blind that has Mine Bitcoin from his home however it is really not easy being a visual compared but thanks to the Braille project McGee has a chance in seeing more clearly read this ARTICLE and yes maybe this is the same as the IcyWallet SeaBits had mention because this Article is dated from Oct, 25 2017,

So I think there is already a project for the Blind to also engage with Bitcoin transaction without any problem.

[denzkilim]

I've been into Bitcoin for quite a few years, and I'm impressed to see how far it has reached in the mainstream world. It's the most widely-adopted cryptocurrency for decentralized payments worldwide without the need for a middleman. In its current state, Bitcoin works wonders for ordinary people like you and me. It's only a matter of putting the right BTC address and the number of coins to send to get started using the Bitcoin blockchain.

However, my concern is how blind people are able to get used to Bitcoin? To my knowledge, wallets (either with a GUI or CLI) don't have "text-to-speech" features to make blind people's lives easier. It'd be great if developers keep blind people in mind to help increase the adoption of the pioneer cryptocurrency in the mainstream world. The only thing I've found is an audiobook of the Bitcoin whitepaper which is a great solution to introduce blind people into the "mechanics" of Bitcoin.

Any thoughts?

even after all these years people that are not blind also cant use bitcoin 100% correct . this evolution takes time to be fit in normal ways first.and after everything get normal and work normal (for example paying a coffe with crypto or buying milk with crypto wallet) then this tech can get upgrade and go to other step to be usable for everyone .first step is to everyone use crypto in all around the world then new project and solutions will come to be useful for blind people also. 

I don't think that Crypto Currencies like Bitcoin will be suitable to buy necessities like coffee's or milk and for me, it's just waste, because the price of Bitcoin could rise up and soar high and it shouldn't be wasted for buying things that can be bought with fiat in my own opinion.

[jhonjhon]

It was great for the blind people having some opportunity here in crypto but believing that there are difficulties when performing this one unlike if you are just a one-yed person or crippled one. I can't a tool that could help them to function as normal traders or investors. These all possible with the help of other people who can guide them, not by doing it alone.

[Zemomtum]

This will definitely be a great future and crypto in its entirety is still at the infant stage. When we have a transaction with a user's unique identity like email, phone or other means without the long string we have in wallet, then it will become easier to do text to speech if implemented eventually.

[SeaBits]

Not all blind people live alone, and there are different levels of blindness:

20/30 to 20/60 : is considered mild vision loss, or near-normal vision
20/70 to 20/160 : is considered moderate visual impairment, or moderate low vision
20/200 to 20/400 : is considered severe visual impairment, or severe low vision
20/500 to 20/1,000 : is considered profound visual impairment, or profound low vision
More than 20/1,000 : is considered near-total visual impairment, or near total blindness
No light perception (NLP) : is considered total visual impairment, or total blindness

Those that can see with some visual impairment would have a better chance to use the technology than those with NLP. People that fall into the NLP category could have a caretaker, friends or family who has introduced them to bitcoin. This would simplify some of these processes if done properly and hopefully with trust. According to some research 25 million around the world are using bitcoin. There is an estimated 39 million blind people in the world (doesn't say what levels they are) and lets say only 10% of them use the internet or have the resources to do so, that would leave us at 3.9 million users. There is no research on what amount of the users are using any cryptocurrencies but I was able to locate a post from 2014 at about an actual blind person attempting to use a wallet and saying his JAWS screen reader was in-compatible (sources: 1. https://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/1ufacn/bitcoin_wallets_are_inaccessible_for_blind_people/ 2. https://www.coindesk.com/bitcoin-needs-accessible-visually-impaired) Since then I have found nothing in the recent years. I guess you could also bring up the topic that if their screen readers are compatible with exchange websites they could buy and store the coins there, but we all know how that's going to end.

[Sadlife]

Bitcoin is a program and can be subject to tons of modifications and customization if consensus approves it. That's the beauty of Bitcoin because it's open source anyone can contribute ideas to help those who are disabled like the blind to be able to use.

It has tons of developer all over the world im sure if some programmer introduces this idea it would be implemented.

[KrisAlex18]

I've been into Bitcoin for quite a few years, and I'm impressed to see how far it has reached in the mainstream world. It's the most widely-adopted cryptocurrency for decentralized payments worldwide without the need for a middleman. In its current state, Bitcoin works wonders for ordinary people like you and me. It's only a matter of putting the right BTC address and the number of coins to send to get started using the Bitcoin blockchain.

However, my concern is how blind people are able to get used to Bitcoin? To my knowledge, wallets (either with a GUI or CLI) don't have "text-to-speech" features to make blind people's lives easier. It'd be great if developers keep blind people in mind to help increase the adoption of the pioneer cryptocurrency in the mainstream world. The only thing I've found is an audiobook of the Bitcoin whitepaper which is a great solution to introduce blind people into the "mechanics" of Bitcoin.

Any thoughts?

Bitcoin for blind people is quite possible if there would be new technology that will be created by our IT experts. Well technology evolves, there are already some technology for blind people, it serves as their thing to express their opinion, that is how technology can give to us. So I think this techbology will be also provided to blind people to use bitcoin, if that things happen, iy would be great because as we all know bitcoin is such a safe haven and it helps so many people. So if blind people would try it using technology that will be created by IT experts they will see how good bitcoin is.

[The Cryptovator]

Explain to blind peoples regarding bitcoin or bitcoin technology is quite easy but real use by them is almost impossible. Although there isn't huge amount of blind peoples who want to involved with bitcoin but it would be a nice idea if someone would make a new technology for blind people's. I have real life example on my family, my father almost blind (can't read anything even via power glass), I have explained him regarding bitcoin. He know there is a virtual coin which is called bitcoin. But unfortunately he is unable to use it. I don't if there will be something new in near future to use bitcoin for blind people.

[joniboini]

You should read this thread https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5222338 (dunno if you search before you create a new thread and didn't found this). Then wait for similar suggestions and discussion pop-up here. After that, lock this thread.

[UserU]

You should read this thread https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5222338 (dunno if you search before you create a new thread and didn't found this). Then wait for similar suggestions and discussion pop-up here. After that, lock this thread.

That won't be the end of it. Soon we might see "Bitcoin for cats/ dogs/ llamas/ aliens" topics too.

[tbterryboy]

Seriously, I have tried to imagine this in some different ways to see whether it would be possible, but the way I see it, it would be difficult to achieve. But anyway, nothing is impossible, you just have to believe that it is possible to do whatever it is and then work hard towards it.

Cryptocurrency addresses are always a very long combination of numbers and letters. Even if it was possible to input a touch and read feature into these cryptocurrency wallet apps, I am wondering how these people will be doing all that, like copying the address of the receiver and then pasting and sending and stuff. Let's just wait until then.

[Ryker1]

Well, Bitcoin and altcoin cryptocurrencies are a great idea as an alternate payment because it works like an E-wallet. This program has plenty of advantages though it also has disadvantages. In a world where all transactions can be done online, bitcoin and altcoin cryptocurrencies are perfect to use. Indeed, there are also countries where online transactions are not yet widely spread especially in rural areas of those third world countries. Likewise, --blind people may not be able to adapt easily on this program because of insufficient assistance using technology. Perhaps it takes time for them to adopt and it needs months or even years.

[Tipstar]

What we interact with are wallets and it's wallet that are not friendly to blind people. But that might not be the case always as bitcoin gets more popularity. Bitcoin's official wallet is also an open source project and I don't think we could see a text to speech feature or a braille friendly feature anytime soon. A third party, that could even be us who thinks of that group of people should work on creating one.