Training and learning support to use smartphones and apps for people with vision impairment (PVI): A multi-site qualitative study on trainers' perspectives from Australia, Canada and Singapore

The study explores how smartphones and applications are replacing traditional assistive technology devices for people with vision impairment (PVI), supporting their mobility and independence. It highlights the importance of training and learning support for PVI to fully utilize this technology, identifying it as an area needing further research. Using an interpretive descriptive qualitative approach, the study examines trainers' perspectives on smartphone training in Australia, Canada, and Singapore through semi-structured interviews with 22 trainers, including 13 with vision impairment.

Thematic analysis of the data revealed six key themes: the structure and content of training, the hope, independence, and connection training provides, the influence of trainers' approach and attributes, informal support and other learning avenues, challenges in providing training, and suggestions for improvement. Participants emphasized that smartphone training offers hope and independence to PVI, and stressed the importance of addressing clients' emotional and learning needs through an individualized and graded approach. Trainers with vision impairment who incorporated their lived experiences into training found it beneficial for clients' learning and adjustment to vision loss.