  People who are blind face unique challenges in performing instrumental
activities of daily living (iADLs), which require them to rely on their senses
as well as assistive technology. Existing research on the strategies used by
people who are blind to conduct different iADLs has focused largely on outdoor
activities such as wayfinding and navigation. However, less emphasis has been
placed on information needs for indoor activities around the home. We present a
mixed-methods approach that combines 16 semi-structured interviews with a
follow-up behavioral study to understand current and potential future use of
technologies for daily activities around the home, especially for cooking. We
identify common practices, challenges, and strategies that exemplify
user-specific and task-specific needs for effectively performing iADLs at home.
Despite this heterogeneity in user needs, we were able to reveal a near
universal preference for tactile over digital aids, which has important
implications for the design of future assistive technologies. Our work extends
existing research on iADLs at home and identifies barriers to technology
adoption. Addressing these barriers will be critical to increasing adoption
rates of assistive technologies and improving the overall quality of life for
individuals who are blind.
