Communication and Media Codes Journal

A JOURNAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA

ISSN: 3093-0693

EMPOWERING INCLUSIVE COMMUNICATION: USING AI ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES TO HELP VISUALLY IMPAIRED COMMUNICATE BETTER

Ameh, Sunday Samuel,
Prof. L.I. Anorue

Abstract

While life itself is tough, people with disability have it tougher. Over time different euphemisms have been invented to brighten people with disabilities mood. Crippled was dropped in favour of disabled which at some point sounded too negative and was dropped in favour of handicapped, which in some arenas is giving way to physically challenged, which currently, is largely dropped in favour of differently abled. However, no matter how beautiful the intentions behind these euphemisms are, they cannot lessen or clean up the reality of their disabilities. In Nigeria, people with disabilities face significant barriers to effective communication, which have impeded their full participation in social, educational and professional activities. This research therefore concerns itself with providing answer to how AI technology can be assistive to people with visual disability in Nigeria to communicate better. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the exposure of people with visual impairment to AI assistive technologies, their usability and effectiveness. This study adopted a mixed method research using Focus Group Discussion and Quasi-Experiment. The study found out that the respondents have low exposure to AI assistive technologies that can help them communicate better. The study also found out through the quasi-experiment that the usability of AI assistive technologies is high. Lastly, the study found out that AI assistive technologies are effective in helping people with visual disability communicate better. The study recommended that the government and stake holders should invest resources and time into exposing and training individuals with visual disability how to communicate better with the use of AI assistive technologies.
Volume:
Vol. 2. January, 2025
Year of Publication:
2025

Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief

Prof. Michael O. Ukonu

Deputy Editor-in-Chief

Dr Blessing Chinweobo-Onuoha

Associate Editors

Prof. L.I. Anorue

Prof. J. Wogu

Prof. G. Ezeah

Prof. C.C. Okpoko

Review

Dr Chidiebere Nwachukwu

Dr Ozioma Nwokedi

Dr Victor Nwogbo

Dr Belinda Anyakoha

Dr Uchenna Eze

Dr Ike Ugbor

Secretary

Dr Stephen Ogbodoh

Design Editor

Dr Ike Elike

Business Manager

Dr Martin Ezugwu

Editorial Consultants

Prof. Nnanyelugo Okoro, Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State

Professor Sunny Udezeh, Department of Mass Communication, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Enugu State

Professor Ezekiel Asemah, Vice Chancellor’s Office, Glorious Vision University, Benin, Edo State

Professor Jude Terna Kur, Department of Information Science and Media Studies, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State

Prof. Rotimi Williams Olatunji, School of Communications, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State

Prof Walter Ihejirika  

Dr. Chukwujekwu Charles Onwuka Department of Sociology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus. Email: cc.onwuka@coou.edu.ng
WhatsApp no: 08064396459