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Introduction: Loneliness poses significant challenges for people with visual impairments (i.e., those who are blind or have low vision). To explore potential solutions, the study investigated the degree to which smart technologies (i.e., iPhone 13 Mini, Apple Watch SE, and Amazon Echo 4th Gen), pre-synced to work together as an integrated system, help to manage loneliness.Methods:A convenience sample of 41 individuals with visual impairments and 38 sighted counterparts used the preconfigured smart technologies freely for seven days. Loneliness was assessed using the UCLA 3-Item Loneliness Scale.Results:Results showed a decrease in perceived loneliness for both groups after the study. A negative correlation was found between the frequency of smart speaker usage and the level of perceived loneliness among participants with visual impairments. Participants reported positive user experiences, emphasizing the contributions of smart technologies to reducing feelings of loneliness.Discussion: The study highlights the effectiveness of interconnected smart technologies in reducing loneliness among individuals with visual impairments, suggesting their potential role in broader accessibility and mental health initiatives.Implications for Practitioners: Practitioners should consider integrating accessible, interconnected smart technologies into support programs to alleviate loneliness and enhance social connections for individuals with visual impairments. 

Voice-enabled technologies such as VoiceOver (screen reader) and the Seeing AI app (image recognition) have revolutionized daily tasks for people with visual disabilities, fostering greater independence and information access. However, a gap remains in understanding the user experience (UX) of these technologies. This study investigated how those with visual disabilities interacted with VoiceOver and the Seeing AI app. A convenience sample of eight participants with visual disabilities engaged in direct observations while using these technologies. The study utilized the System Usability Scale (SUS) to assess perceived usability and analyzed findings using descriptive statistics. Results indicated a poorer UX with VoiceOver compared to the Seeing AI app, with challenges identified in graphical user interfaces (GUIs), voice and gesture commands. Relevant recommendations were made to enhance usability. The study emphasizes the need for more intuitive GUIs and optimized voice/gesture interactions for users with visual disabilities. 

Despite significant vision loss, humans can still recognize various emotional stimuli via a sense of hearing and express diverse emotional responses, which can be sorted into two dimensions, arousal and valence. Yet, many research studies have been focusing on sighted people, leading to lack of knowledge about emotion perception mechanisms of people with visual impairment. This study aims at advancing knowledge of the degree to which people with visual impairment perceive various emotions – high/low arousal and positive/negative emotions. A total of 30 individuals with visual impairment participated in interviews where they listened to stories of people who became visually impaired, encountered and overcame various challenges, and they were instructed to share their emotions. Participants perceived different kinds and intensities of emotions, depending on their demographic variables such as living alone, loneliness, onset of visual impairment, visual acuity, race/ethnicity, and employment status. The advanced knowledge of emotion perceptions in people with visual impairment is anticipated to contribute toward better designing social supports that can adequately accommodate those with visual impairment.