Voice-Enabled Inclusive ECommerce Platform for Visually Impaired and Non-disabled Users

Abstract

The Voice-Enabled Inclusive E-Commerce Platform is designed to provide a seamless shopping experience for both visually impaired and non-disabled users through advanced voice command technology. The platform enables users to navigate, browse, filter products, and manage shopping carts entirely hands-free, enhancing accessibility and independence for visually impaired individuals. Built on Flask with a focus on accessibility, the system incorporates secure user authentication, session management, and dynamic product interaction. Voice commands, processed through the Web Speech API, allow users to log in, register, and complete transactions effortlessly. The platform is designed to be inclusive, ensuring a unified experience for all users, while maintaining essential security protocols like password hashing and session management. Future enhancements include multilingual support, personalized AI-driven recommendations, and advanced security features. This platform exemplifies how technology can create an equitable e-commerce environment

Introduction

1. Project Overview

The Voice-Enabled Inclusive E-Commerce Platform is an innovative solution designed to offer equal online shopping access to both visually impaired and non-disabled users. It allows complete interaction via voice commands, removing reliance on visual interfaces and enabling independent shopping for the visually impaired.

2. Key Features

• Full voice interaction for login, product browsing, filtering, cart management, and checkout.

• Unified interface for all users, promoting inclusivity without segregation.

• Incorporation of speech recognition and text-to-speech technology.

• Secure authentication with planned password encryption and session management.

• Scalable for future additions like voice-guided payments.

3. Literature Survey Highlights

• Voice navigation is a proven method for improving accessibility (Jomon et al., Sosa & Villegas-Mateos).

• AI integration and usability guidelines help tailor e-commerce for the visually impaired (Suhaimi, Prati et al.).

• Studies emphasize the need for inclusive design, screen reader compatibility, and voice interaction (Santoki, Samreen, Nagatani, Hara, etc.).

• Prototypes like MEDSEE and other VUI-based apps show potential for improved usability.

• Research also touches on color blindness, regional challenges, and user feedback-based enhancements.

4. Methodology

The development process involves:

A. Requirement Analysis

Identifies accessibility, voice functionality, and security needs.

B. System Architecture

• Frontend: HTML, CSS, JS, Web Speech API.

• Backend: Flask handles HTTP requests, voice commands.

• Database: Starts with JSON, scalable to MySQL.

• Security: Password hashing with bcrypt, session protection.

C. Voice-Enabled Interaction

Users navigate entirely through speech, with real-time feedback and error handling.

D. Authentication

Voice-assisted login/registration, session control, and secure data handling.

E. Product & Cart Features

Voice-controlled product browsing, filtering, and cart/checkout management.

F. Voice Feedback

Real-time responses confirm actions or notify of errors to aid visually impaired users.

G. Testing & Optimization

Focus on accessibility, voice recognition under varied conditions, and system performance.

H. Deployment

Includes feedback loops and continuous system improvements to better adapt to user needs.

5. Results & Discussion

Performance Metrics:

Key Observations:

• Voice recognition performs well but is affected by background noise.

• System is responsive and performs well under load.

• Minor improvements in mobile optimization and payment reliability are needed.

• User feedback and continuous updates ensure adaptability and improvement.

Conclusion

This platform provides a great advancement in enabling visually impaired shoppers and keeps a consistent experience for regular buyers. Voice recognition technology from the Web Speech API helps the platform let users engage in essential e-commerce actions including signing in and shopping with voice commands. Without this setup visually impaired users can function independently and enjoy a more accepting environment. Backed by Flask as a framework developers can manage user accounts efficiently while guarding against risks in transactions. This framework assists in scaling up operations into the future. Additionally the platform is designed to be friendly for everyone by addressing accessibility issues such as screen reader support and easy navigation. Passwords are protected by hashing during development to create a secure environment while boosting efficiency. In responding to user feedback and regular testing the platform will adapt to serve numerous user demands and deliver a diverse and inclusive shopping journey. This initiative illustrates technology\'s role in building a just online shopping experience for the visually impaired by providing equivalent opportunities as for everyone else.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Libo Joel A, Dr. Christina Magneta. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.