Utilizing Technology for a Better World

Having lost his eyesight in adulthood, Mr Yip Bing-chiu knows well how difficult life can be for the visually impaired. As a professional in IT, he firmly believes that: "Utilizing IT can help the visually impaired to solve daily life problems, as well as to work and live independently with dignity. By promoting smartphone usage with interactive sensor technology, he hopes to change the world for the blind."

Advocating Barrier-free Living

In 2007, Mr Yip visited a school for the blind in mainland China. The experience of living with the visually impaired there for two months greatly enhanced his understanding of their various needs. In 2008, he set up the Jabbok Charitable Foundation Limited. Since then, he has been providing IT training programmes which focus on using smartphone in daily life for the visually impaired in Anqing City, Anhui. So far, over 1,000 people, aged 7 to 45, have been benefitted. He has also helped train up about 20 instructors for institutions in the mainland.

In 2013, his Foundation launched Project Big Bulb for developing software to facilitate the visually impaired. By using a mobile application in a smartphone to detect the iBeacons installed in various spots, users can listen to instant information, such as navigation, nearby facilities and transportation. In 2016, the Foundation collaborated with the Anqing City government to provide training for 500 visually- impaired children on smartphone usage to enhance their self-care abilities. The city has also installed a total of 1,650 iBeacons at streets and shops, enabling the visually impaired to enjoy barrier-free shopping on their own.

Furthermore, the Foundation has run a campaign in Hong Kong to collect used smartphones for the visually impaired in need locally and in the mainland. They would keep liaising with organizations and schools for the blind, so as to provide them with appropriate training and services.

Mr Yip hopes that through collaboration between the government and commercial sector in Hong Kong, iBeacon systems will be installed in local communities so as to provide more barrier-free living space for the visually impaired in Hong Kong.