Pioneering accessibility: the RNIB and Samsung partnership

RNIB is the UK’s leading sight loss charity. It’s recognised globally for collaborations with major technology companies and pioneering solutions in accessibility. From the first talking smart box for TV and talking ATMs to accessible bank cards and in-home displays, RNIB has a rich history of developing solutions that focus on accessibility and usability. Their expertise has made them a sought-after partner for companies aiming to make their products more inclusive.

Samsung stands out as one of the largest consumer products brands RNIB has partnered with, inspiring and shaping the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The partnership began with a focus on televisions and has since expanded to include a wide range of consumer products such as fridges, vacuum cleaners, air purifiers and an expansive Galaxy ecosystem from phones to smart watches. Our partnership continues as we explore the accessibility of the Galaxy XR, Samsung’s new category of AI-native devices designed to deliver immersive AI experiences.

RNIB’s Inclusive Design team plays a crucial role in this partnership. They work hard to deliver RNIB’s commitment to improve the design and usability of products and services, ensuring accessibility for all individuals. One critical element of this commitment is the continuing presence of co-design with our community.

Since 2013, RNIB’s Inclusive Design team has been reviewing new models of Samsung televisions. Their involvement includes rigorous testing of user accessibility features, leveraging community insights and addressing pain points to drive innovation. Combined with Samsung’s technological leadership, this collaboration has led to groundbreaking improvements in the accessibility features and functions of Samsung Smart TVs.

Samsung’s Smart TVs have earned RNIB’s Tried and Tested accreditation, which is sought after by manufacturers of all kinds of products. The certification is awarded to products that are accessible and usable for blind or partially sighted people. The accreditation reassures buyers that products have been tested by blind and partially sighted individuals, guaranteeing that features are inclusive and easy to use by people with sight loss.

Some of the most impactful features developed through this partnership are specifically designed for blind and partially sighted users, for example, the Relumino Mode. This feature is present on both Samsung televisions and Galaxy phones and enhances the viewing experience for those with low vision by highlighting outlines and improving contrast.

The collaboration has expanded over the years beyond TV products into other sectors, including Galaxy phones. Since 2018, RNIB has provided feedback to Samsung, including multiple rounds of assessments against accessibility and usability guidelines. These assessments and user testing sessions with blind and partially sighted users have led to significant progress in the accessibility and usability of the devices.  Notable improvements include refined vision enhancement features (bold text, large text sizes etc) across One UI.

As part of their commitment to continuous improvement, Samsung, with RNIB’s support, established the Samsung Supporters Network. This initiative introduces blind and partially sighted users to Samsung devices and features, allowing them to use devices over time and provide ongoing feedback. This process ensures that real users’ experience directly informs future product development.

The partnership between RNIB and Samsung exemplifies how collaboration, user-centred design and ongoing feedback can drive meaningful progress in accessibility. The partnership continues to set new standards for inclusivity in consumer technology. RNIB looks forward to the next chapter of the collaboration exploring the potential of various emerging technologies such as multimodal AI and wearable devices.

Robin Spinks, Head of Inclusive Design

Lori Di Bon Conyers, Manager Inclusive Design.