Assessment on the use of ICT by the visually impaired persons (VIPs) in business processes in Tanzania

This study assessed the use of ICT in business processes for visually impaired persons in Tanzania. The study was descriptive in nature. A sample of 50 respondents, 41 sighted and 9 visually impaired persons participated in the study. Data were collected using both questionnaire and interview. Findings of this study indicated 82.9%, of organizations surveyed did not consider visually impaired persons on use of ICT in business processes with reasons that it is more costly, have less contribution in business, unavailability of technology, unavailability of ICT training institutions, inability of persons with visual impairment to use ICT and not being required by law to support them. Of the VIPs interviewed the findings indicated that 89%, can use mobile phones, 78% can use landline telephones, 67% can use personal computers and Internet, and 22% can use fax machines. Those indicated ability to use computers said had training at the Open University of Tanzania. The study was at a small scale and was only in Dar es Salaam but it is likely that the study would form a basis for assessing use of ICT in business processes for visually impaired persons and other business related services in Tanzania and beyond.