Abstract:

The study came up with Marshall McLuhan’s saying “Technology is the extension of man” and points out that new technologies strengthen the functions of human organs. With the possibilities of new communication technologies, it radically changes our individual experiences; it starts a completely new era in terms of different user groups. Persons with visual disabilities experience various problems at the point of obtaining the information they need. These individuals can only overcome the problems they experience with the help of another person. Thanks to mobile devices and the internet, the user with visual disabilities has been able to move independently. Applications created in accordance with the rules established by the Universal Standards are intended to investigate whether persons with visual disabilities, using mobile devices with equal rights, continue their lives without having to be needed by others. The study was conducted with the participation of visual disabled users registered in the Altınokta Blind Association Istanbul Branch. Availability tests have been conducted with visual disabled users. There are three criteria for user-based availability tests. Each criterion has been tested with a total of fifteen people. There are eight tasks identified with Facebook and WhatsApp apps for availability tests. The objective here is to make the applications that users with visual disabilities often use more accessible to those with visual disabilities in order to be able to move independently thanks to technological developments. Of course, in visual disabilities, other users must have the rights they have. Research has not only identified the accessibility problems of mobile applications, but has sought to provide possible solutions to accessibility problems.

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