Introduction
In our first annual Technology Survey, we asked TAVIP members and the wider community a simple question: What is your go-to tech for 2026? Respondents were invited to list up to ten items; specialist or mainstream, hardware or software, apps or desktop tools, whatever makes life easier at home, at work, in education, for leisure, or when out and about. The only steer was to start with the tech you just couldn’t live without. We also asked what new tech people were most excited about getting their hands on in the next 12 months.
43 people took part, between them naming well over 150 distinct products and services. We hope the results give you a useful picture of what the TAVIP community is actually using day-in and day-out, and perhaps flag something great you haven’t come across yet.
We also included a question focused on training. Working with sector partners, TAVIP is developing training to build foundation skills with everyday tech and to grow people’s confidence with AI tools, so it was really helpful to hear what training people said they would value.
The findings are helping to shape what TAVIP will cover in our Masterclass Series over the next 12 months, so your responses are already making a difference. Thank you to everyone who took the time to contribute.
Summary
The iPhone is by far the most widely used technology that was mentioned (by 77% of respondents), serving as the primary hub for accessibility apps and daily living. Smart glasses, particularly Meta Ray-Bans, are the second most popular category (35%), reflecting a strong shift toward wearable AI. Braille displays and screen readers (JAWS, NVDA) remain essential tools for around a third of respondents, while AI assistants (ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot) are used by approximately one in five.
Looking ahead, the Glide navigation aid from Glidance and next-generation smart glasses (Google XR, Apple, Samsung) dominate the wish list. Respondents are eager for more capable AI-driven navigation and scene description tools that work in real time.
The overwhelming training need is around AI, specifically how to prompt effectively to get accurate, relevant results, and a solid introduction to the major AI platforms (ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot). Respondents also want guidance on verifying AI outputs, understanding privacy/safety implications, and practical applications of AI in work and daily life.
Below you will find the key findings as well as a full listing of all the technology that got a mention.
We look forward to running the survey again in Spring 2027 to see what new technology and trends have emerged by then, and if you have any comments or suggestions for next year’s survey please contact the TAVIP team at info@tavip.org.uk.
Most Common Technologies Used
Here is a list of the most mentioned tech, starting with the most popular:
Technology with Number of mentions, and % of the Total
- iPhone (various models) 33, 77%
- Meta Ray-Ban / Smart Glasses 15, 35%
- Braille Displays / Notetakers 14, 33%
- JAWS Screen Reader 13, 30%
- Be My Eyes 11, 26%
- Amazon Alexa / Echo 11, 26%
- ChatGPT / OpenAI 9, 21%
- Windows PC / Laptop 9, 21%
- Seeing AI 8, 19%
- Apple Watch 8, 19%
- MacBook / iPad 8, 19%
- Navigation Apps (VoiceVista, BlindSquare etc) 8, 19%
- Gemini (Google) 7, 16%
- Talking Appliances (scales, microwave etc) 7, 16%
- Bone Conduction Headphones 6, 14%
- VoiceOver 6, 14%
- NVDA Screen Reader 5, 12%
- Victor Reader Stream 5, 12%
- Copilot (Microsoft) 5, 12%
- Google Pixel Phone 2, 5%
- Samsung Phone 2, 5%
iPhone Model Breakdown
We wanted to look in more detail at which iPhones people are using, so here is the list, starting with the most recent models:
Model, Mentions
- iPhone 17, 1
- iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max, 4
- iPhone 16E, 4
- iPhone 16, 6
- iPhone Air, 2
- iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max, 3
- iPhone 15, 1
- iPhone 14, 2
- iPhone 13 / 13 Pro Max, 2
- iPhone 12 Pro Max, 1
- iPhone 11, 1
- iPhone SE (various generations including SE 2020, SE 2022, SE3), 5
- iPhone (model not specified), 8
- Total iPhone mentions, 40
Note: Some respondents listed more than one iPhone model (e.g. one current and one older device). 33 unique respondents use an iPhone as a primary device.
What People Are Most Looking Forward To
Product / Technology, Mentions
- Next-gen Smart Glasses (Google XR, Apple, Samsung, improved Meta), 12
- Glide Navigation Aid (Glidance), 10
- AI-enhanced tools / Live AI on devices, 5
- WeWalk / Other Navigation Aids, 5
- BrailleNote Evolve, 3
- Google XR Glasses (specifically), 3
- Gemini-powered Siri, 2
- Dot Pad / Multi-line Braille Display, 2
Training Needs Highlighted
Training Topic, Mentions
- AI prompting skills — how to get accurate, relevant results, 14
- General AI introduction (ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot basics), 12
- Using AI practically in daily life and work, 6
- Screen reader training (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver), 5
- Verifying and trusting AI outputs, 5
- AI safety, privacy and GDPR concerns, 4
- Choosing the right AI tool for the task, 3
- Braille display and notetaker training, 3
- Using AI for document accessibility, 2
- Navigation and mobility technology, 2
Appendix: Complete Technology Inventory
Every technology item mentioned by respondents, deduplicated and grouped by category.
Phones
- iPhone (various models)SE 2020, SE 2022, SE3, 11, 12 Pro Max, 13, 13 Pro Max, 14, 15, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, 16, 16E, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 17, Air.
- Android / Other PhonesGoogle Pixel 7, Pixel 9A, Pixel 10 Pro, Samsung Z-Flip 3, Samsung Galaxy A34, RealSAM Pocket.
Smart Glasses
- Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses (various gens)
- Oakley Meta Glasses
- Oakley Vanguard Smart Glasses
- Ally Solos Glasses
- Envision Glasses
Screen Readers & Magnifiers
- JAWS Screen Reader
- NVDA Screen Reader
- VoiceOver (Apple)
- ZoomText Reader/Magnifier
- Dolphin Screen Reader (25.01)
- Jay Say Software (Hartgen)
Braille Displays & Notetakers
- Brailliant 40 / 40 X Braille Display
- Brailliant 20 X Braille Display
- Mantis Q40 Braille Display
- BrailleSense 6 / 6 Mini Notetaker
- BrailleNote Apex
- BrailleNote Touch Plus
- Braille Edge Display
- Orbit Reader 20 / 40
- Orbit Player
- QBraille XL
- Dot Pad X
- BTSpeak Pro
- 80-cell Braille Display (Humanware)
- M-Power BrailleNote
- Perkins Brailler
- BrailleMaker
- Paige Connect
AI Assistants & Search
- ChatGPT (OpenAI)
- Google Gemini
- Microsoft Copilot / 365 Copilot
- Apple Intelligence / Siri
- Perplexity AI
- Pi AI
- Claude Cowork
- Kagi Search
- Google Search
Accessibility Apps
- Be My Eyes
- Seeing AI
- AIRA Explorer
- Speechify
- Speech Central
- KNFB Reader App
- PiccyBot
- Scribe Me
- Scribeit.io
- OKO App
- Help U See
- Zoom Magnifier App
- Black Lens Camera App
- Around Me App
- Ally App
- Orion App
Navigation & Mapping Apps
- VoiceVista
- BlindSquare
- Good Maps
- Ariadne GPS
- Google Maps
- Transit App
- Soundscape
- StellaTrek / Victor Trek
- Humanware VR Trek
Mobility Aids
- WeWALK Smart Cane 2
- Ray Mobility Aid (Caretec)
- Liquid Level Indicator
- TravelBright 3 Lamp
- Travel Hands Volunteers
Smart Home & Speakers
- Amazon Alexa / Echo / Echo Dot
- Google Home / Google Mini
- Hive Heating / Smart Lights / Thermostat
- Nest Thermostat
- Smart Home Products (bulbs, plugs, locks, cameras)
- Ring Doorbell
- Blink Security Cameras
- Secure Connect Home Alarm
Apple Ecosystem (excluding the iPhone)
- Apple Watch (various models)
- iPad (various models)
- MacBook Air / Mac
- Apple TV / Apple TV 4K
- Apple Magic Bluetooth Keyboard
- Apple Music
- Apple Pay (Apple Watch)
- AppleVis
Computers & Laptops
- Windows PC / Laptop (various)
- Asus ExpertBook Laptop
- HP EliteBook
- GPD Win Mini-Computer
- Desktop Computer
Reading & Media Devices
- Victor Reader Stream (various gens)
- Senseplayer
- Humanware Daisy Player
- Amazon Kindle Reader
- Amazon Fire Tablet
- Amazon Fire Stick
- Clover Book Pro 13 (text-to-speech magnifier)
- Roberts Opus Bluetooth Radio/USB Recorder
- Synapptic USB Memory Stick Player
- TVonics
- PTP1
- 1TB External SSD
- Smart TV
- LG webOS TV
Audio & Headphones
- Bone Conduction Headphones (various brands)
- Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones
- Arctis Nova Pro Headphones
- Sony LinkBuds
- JBL Bluetooth Speakers
- Vocaster Two + Mic/Headphones
Talking Appliances & Tactile Devices
- Talking Combi Microwave / Oven
- Talking Kitchen/Bathroom Scales
- Electronic Weighing Scales
- Cobolt Talking Colour Detector
- Cobolt SpeechMaster Talking Watch
- Tactile Watch
- Bradley Timepiece
- One Cup Hot Water Dispenser
Scanning & OCR
- Openbook + Pearl Camera Scanner
- Plustek OpticBook 4800 Scanner
Transport Apps
- Bus Times UK App
- UK Bus Checker
- Bee Network Bus Navigation App
- National Rail Passenger Assistance App
- Virgin Trains Ticketing App
- CurbtoCar App
- Uber
Books, Podcasts & Media Apps
- Audible
- Kindle App
- BBC Sounds App
- Pocket Casts
- Dolphin EasyReader
- RNIB Reading Services / Library
- Sero App (formerly iBlink Radio)
- Bible App (YouVersion)
Communication & Productivity
- Microsoft Teams
- Gmail
- TikTok
- Todoist
- RStudio
- Reaper Audio Editing Software
Other Devices & Accessories
- RNIB Pen Friend
- Plaud Note Pro
- Hable One Bluetooth Keyboard
- Logitech 360 Keyboard
- Roger On (Hearing Aid Bluetooth Device)
- Kingspan Connect Oil Tank Level Meter
- TP-Link Deco Mesh Router
- Samsung Washing Machine (accessible app)
- Biped NOA
- K1000
- Tandem Bike for a “real world experience”