"As chips get smaller and things get cheaper, people don't always appreciate the significance of how a few very simple things can make a product accessible," said Wonder. "There are ways to make the technology not only good for the blind but for everyone," he said, noting one of his producers started using a voice interface on a mixing board after seeing the him use the technology on other products.

"We are demonstrating a number of vision-free products here at CES," said Mark Riccobono, executive director of the Jernigan Institute, a branch of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and a sponsor of the event. The institute creates programs and ideas for products that help the blind lead more independent lives.

The institute has developed a list of five design guidelines to make products more useful. They include using different sounds for menus, selection and error conditions; providing an easy way to determine the position of rotary controls; and providing controls with good tactile feedback.

"All we are asking is that you talk to us," said Michael May, chief executive of Sendero Group that has designed devices and applications for the blind. "We have a group of consultants that can help you determine where in a product you may need a bump or a beep," he said.

May (standing with Wonder in the video) set the speed skiing record for a blind person at 65 mph, but cannot work many consumer gadgets that increasingly use touch screens and flat-panel displays.

'"There are washing machines and dryers we can't use because they have been improved to death," said Bryan Bashin, a consultant in design for the blind."I know people who can't find a stove they can use," he added.

Nevertheless both May and Wonder said they are connoisseurs of cool consumer devices. "I've often sat in Stevie's dressing rooms or in his suites while he is traveling the world comparing the latest gadgets with him," May said.

Wonder, May and the NFB sponsor a regular awards program for vision free devices. The group posted a list of some 15 products that have won the award. May carries a Palm Pilot PDA that uses a talking GPS application he developed. He is also working on indoor GPS applications.

"It would be great if you could come to a place like this Venetian Hotel and pick up a device at the door that could guide you to your meeting room," May said.

As many as 10 million people in the U.S. alone are blind or visually impaired. "Manufacturers should not ignore that fact said May.