Abstract

This study explores the intersection of digital empowerment and the capability approach in the context of Intelligent Assistive Technologies (IATs) for Visually Impaired People (VIPs) in South Africa. Drawing on Sen’s Capability Approach and Mäkinen’s Digital Empowerment framework, we investigate how IATs serve as capability-enhancing tools for VIPs in their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Employing a qualitative methodology, we conducted 25 semi-structured interviews with adult VIPs who had access to various IATs. Our findings, analyzed using grounded theory analytical methods, reveal that IATs significantly enhance VIPs’ autonomy, accessibility, and overall quality of life, contributing to their digital empowerment. However, we also uncover an unintended form of digital exclusion due to the lack of localization in text-to-speech software, particularly affecting VIPs fluent only in indigenous languages. This highlights a tension between technology, language, and empowerment. Our study contributes to Information Systems literature by extending the application of the Capability Approach and Digital Empowerment framework to assistive technologies. We believe this provides a better understanding of how ICTs can both enable and constrain capabilities. We also make suggestions for inclusive design practices and policy formulation in under-resourced multilingual contexts.

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