The Distance between Colors; Using DeltaE* to Determine Which Colors Are Compatible

The focus of this study was to identify colors that can be easily distinguished from one another by normal color vision and slightly deficient color vision observers, and then test those colors to determine the significance of color separation as an indicator of color discriminability for both types of participants. There were 14 color normal and 9 color deficient individuals whose level of color deficiency were determined using standard diagnostic tests. The colors were selected by avoiding co-linearity in the color confusion line graphs for deuteranopes, protanopes and tritanopes. The difference between each of the colors was then calculated. The chosen colors were presented to the participants in a Color Vision Discrimination (CVD) test, first as color boxes and then as color text made up of three letters followed by three numbers. A one-tailed Spearman\u27s non-parametric Rank Order Correlation was conducted. The results indicated that the difference between two colors does not determine the ability of a color normal observer to distinguish between two colors given that the color is presented as a color block ( rs = -.260, p = .234), but does determine their ability when presented as color text (rs = -.644, p = .001). When it comes to color deficient individuals, the results show that for color blocks (rs = -.558, p = .015) and color text (rs = -.505, p = .002) their ability to distinguish between the candidate colors depends on the separation between the colors. Colors were selected on the basis that they were not confused with any other color. Those colors found to be most easily distinguished will be useful in many different applications such as web site design, Internet displays of all types, and various other military and industrial applications

The Effect of Training upon Faculty Stages of Concern about Making Color Vision Deficiency Adaptations

Although color vision deficiency affects an appreciable portion of the human race, those with the condition do not enjoy mandatory educational accommodations. The purpose of this quasi-experimental investigation was to quantify the effect of professional development training on university faculty concerns about adapting their instruction for color vision deficiency. This investigation used a static-group comparison design with a professional development intervention for the experimental group at a liberal arts university (N = 98) in the Southeast of the United States, collecting data through an online fielding of the Stages of Concern Questionnaire. Independent Samples t Tests between the two groups revealed no statistically significant differences in means of raw scores (alpha level of .014) for the stages 0 through 5 concerns. However, the results did show a statistically significant increase (p \u3c .001) for stage 6 concerns, suggesting that the training did change the concerns of the experimental group participants about exploring and desiring other options for adjusting their instruction for color vision deficiency. Such responses are suggestive that the training may have raised resistance to implementing instructional adaptations for color vision deficiency. These results provide research-based knowledge to guide collegiate leadership in making policy about these optional adaptations, and suggest that future research about making instruction more accessible for color deficient students should focus on institutionally-based, rather than instructor-based, initiatives

Computer-Based Solutions to Support Those With Colour Vision Deficiency to Access Day-to-Day Information

In modern-day society, we are bombarded with vast amounts of electronic information which we may be expected to make decisions from. Many people have difficulties in interpreting such information due to either physical or cognitive difficulties in using electronic devices, or an inability to identify information as intended by the author. Colour Vision Deficiency (CVD) is one such problem that can cause considerable difficulty in the interpretation of diagrammatical information. This is because a Colour Vision Deficient (CVDt) person has difficulty in seeing: colour boundaries, different shades of colour and different hues. There has been some research to aid the CVDt, where the majority of the research in image processing changes or transforms colours in any given image. Such transformations use a number of different algorithms to create a CVDt friendly post-processed image from the pre-processed image. A major problem of current transformation algorithms is that they are aimed for specific contexts and cannot be used in generic contexts. For example, the transformation algorithm may be aimed at aiding the CVDt to view postprocessed images of weather maps only. The aim of this dissertation is to provide an improved post-processed image algorithm. The algorithm is intended to provide the CVDt with greater benefit by being able to interpret the information in the post-processed image correctly. The algorithm used in this dissertation is not a colour transformation algorithm instead it is a colour separation algorithm. This concept of colour separation is novel. The colour separation algorithm, which is called the Halo-Effect Algorithm (HEA), parses a given image row-by-row and pixel-by-pixel until the end of file-marker is reached and a CVDt friendly post-processed image is furnished. When there is a colour change between two identified pixels then a colour boundary has been identified within the pre-processed image and a differently coloured pixel is inserted between two, furnishing the post-processed image. As the pre-processed image is parsed row-by-row then the colour the boundary builds up to form a colour boundary interface where the different coloured pixel are inserted in the post-processed image. In this dissertation the separation pixel is always white. The build-up of inserted white pixels at the colour boundary interface of the pre-processed image produces a halo like effect in the post-processed image which is CVDt friendly. To demonstrate the efficacy of the colour separation concept, the HEA has been developed and implemented. A number of surveys have been conducted using participant responses to questions within each survey. The responses that each participant gave were then collated and analysed statistically. Two statistical techniques were used to test a number of hypotheses around the mean of a sample drawn from a normally distributed population. In this dissertation the normally distributed populations were the survey participants. From the analyses of the responses, the survey population was divided into two groups. One group was identified to have no problem with identification of pre-processed colour boundaries and were called the non-CVDt. A second group was identified to be those who had some problems with the identification of pre-processed colour boundaries and were called the indicative- CVDt. Responses from the two groups were collated and statistical analyses were then conducted to test the significance of any results obtained and also to test the validity of the algorithms under investigation. In this dissertation two currently available, but different, colour transformation algorithms were compared with the colour separation algorithm of the HEA. Each of the two transformation algorithms were originally intended for specific use. One was aimed for spectra maps and the other was aimed for background text. Statistical analyses showed that each of the transformation algorithms provided benefit to the indicative-CVDt for their specific context only. However, statistical analyses also showed that HEA fared well in each of the two specific contexts. Thus, hinting that colour separation of HEA could be used in more general contexts. To confirm that colour separation can provide greater benefit to the indicative-CVDt in more generic contexts than colour transformations further surveys were undertaken. In each survey participants were asked a number of questions about a given image where colour boundaries are expected to occur frequently. One was a map of the provinces of Australia and the other a number of differently coloured geometric shapes. Statistical analyses showed that the colour separation algorithm of HEA provided greater benefit to the indicative-CVDt than the two colour transformation algorithms in both cases. Hence, confirming that colour separation of HEA is beneficial to the indicative-CVDt in generic contexts. Colour separation of the HEA is still in its infancy and a great deal more research is required to determine how great its efficacy is. For example, clinical studies could be undertaken using two sets from one population. One set of participants who would have been diagnosed as non-CVDt, which would be identified as a control group, and a second set who would have been diagnosed as CVDt, which would be identified as a test set

Functional evaluation in inherited retinal disease.

Functional assessments are a fundamental part of the clinical evaluation of patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). Their importance and impact have become increasingly notable, given the significant breadth and number of clinical trials and studies investigating multiple avenues of intervention across a wide range of IRDs, including gene, pharmacological and cellular therapies. Moreover, the fact that many clinical trials are reporting improvements in vision, rather than the previously anticipated structural stability/slowing of degeneration, makes functional evaluation of primary relevance. In this review, we will describe a range of methods employed to characterise retinal function and functional vision, beginning with tests variably included in the clinic, such as visual acuity, electrophysiological assessment and colour discrimination, and then discussing assessments often reserved for clinical trials/research studies such as photoaversion testing, full-field static perimetry and microperimetry, and vision-guided mobility testing; addressing perimetry in greatest detail, given it is commonly a primary outcome metric. We will focus on how these tests can help diagnose and monitor particular genotypes, also noting their limitations/challenges and exploring analytical methodologies for better exploiting functional measurements, as well as how they facilitate patient inclusion and stratification in clinical trials and serve as outcome measures

Empathy and idea generation for color vision deficiency in virtual reality

Abstract. Virtual reality allows immersive experiences of life and the activities of others in an unprecedented way. Immersed in such experiences, operators can understand and empathize with the life challenges of others. Such empathy and understanding can be pivotal for generating ideas on how to create products that improve the lives of people with specific needs. In this project, the effect of a virtual reality experience on empathy and the generation of ideas was investigated. We experimentally examined operators’ experiences of color vision deficiencies with their own eyes in a game. We evaluated if the immersive virtual reality experience will allow the operator to gain a deeper understanding and establish empathy with color vision deficiency users. Through this, we will identify the needs of color vision deficiency users. We further investigated should such experience lead the operators to generate better design ideas. We examined two virtual environments representing commonly experienced real-life places, a grocery store and a library. They were interacted with as games. The experiment was conducted in two sessions: a virtual environment on a computer screen and a virtual reality experience of the same environment using a head-mounted display. We measured if the experiences deepened the understanding and empathy with a color vision deficiency experience in the same game. The empathy of the 23 participants was tested with questionnaires after each of the experiences, on a computer screen and in virtual reality. We also inquired about lists of the five most common issues color vision deficiency users perceived by the operators on three occasions, before the experiment, between the two sessions and at the end. At the end of the experiment, the operators were asked to generate as many as possible ideas for tangible products that might help people with color vision deficiencies. The results show that the virtual reality experience helped participants deepen their understanding of the needs of people with color vision deficiencies. The idea generation was not found to be statistically significantly affected by the VR experience. Future work is needed to measure the difference between traditional virtual environments and virtual reality on humans understanding and empathy

On informing the creation of assistive tools in virtual reality for severely visually disabled individuals

A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhampton for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.Virtual Reality (VR) devices have advanced so dramatically in recent years that they are now capable of fully immersing users in experiences tailored to fit a multitude of needs. This emerging technology has far reaching potential, yet is primarily contained to the entertainment or gaming market, with limited considerations made for disabilities and accessibility. Identifying this gap, evaluating these newer VR devices for their suitability as accessibility aids is needed, and clear standards for successful disability VR design need to be defined and promoted to encourage greater inclusively going forward. To achieve this, a series of ophthalmology-informed tests were created and conducted against 24 participants with severe visual impairments. These tests were used as comparative benchmarks to determine the level of visual perception impaired users had while wearing a VR device against natural vision. Findings suggest that, under certain conditions, VR devices can greatly enhance visual acuity levels when used as replacements to natural vision or typical vision aids, without any enhancement made to account for visual impairments. Following findings and requirements elicited from participants, a prototype VR accessibility text reader and video player were developed allowing visually disabled persons to customise and configure specialised accessibility features for individualised needs. Qualitative usability testing involving 11 impaired participants alongside interviews fed into a iterative design process for better software refinement and were used to informed the creation of a VR accessibility framework for visual disabilities. User tests reported an overwhelmingly positive response to the tool as a feasible reading and viewing aid, allowing persons who could not engage (or, due to the difficulty, refusing to engage) in the reading and viewing of material to do so. Outcomes highlight that a VR device paired with the tested software would be an effective and affordable alternative to specialist head gear that is often expensive and lacking functionality & adaptability. These findings promote the use and future design of VR devices to be used as accessibility tools and visual aids, and provide a comparative benchmark, device usability guidelines, a design framework for VR accessibility, and the first VR accessibility software for reading and viewing.Beacon Centre for the Blind & University of Wolverhampton

Inclusive interaction design: bridging the gap between information visualization perception and color vision deficiency users

It’s becoming increasingly important to design for Inclusivity, meaning building products that are accessible to all type of users, namely color vision deficiency (CVD) deuteranope users. Along with that, we can say that Information Visualization plays a big role in the understanding of how ou world functions, since the amount of produced data (2.5 exabytes) is increasing every day. In this way, this project aims to bridge the gap between Information Visualization perception and color vision deficiency users, by exploring the effects that saturation as a variable, applied through an interaction design methodology approach, has on human visual perception. An interactive system was designe in order to explore the effects saturation had in both user’s perception. To perform the experiment, 12 trichromatic male participants were recruited and the selected graph’s colours were simulated into colours a CVD user would normally perceive. This experiment enabled to reach a range in which both trichromatic and CVD users perceive the information of a specific graph in an optimal way. Serving as a first assessment in potentially reaching a range that ensures the optimal visual perception of all types of Information Visualizations for both CVD an trichromatic users, this project intends to be used as a reference in future investigations, in order to improve the quality of life of users affected by this visual constraint

Gráficos estadísticos accesibles para personas con baja visión y visión cromática deficiente

Statistical charts and graphs play a primordial role in different areas of our life, such as information, education, communication or research, among others. However, authors and content publishers do not always follow the accessibility criteria in the design and creation of this type of content. Considering these two premises, this work includes the four main approaches in which the scientific literature has focused so far to improve the accessibility of statistical charts and graphs: text alternatives, sonification, tactile alternatives and multimodal alternatives, with the purpose of evaluating their suitability for people with low vision and color blindness. Finally, some solutions are suggested that seem technologically viable and that start from the use of JavaScript libraries for the creation of interactive charts, in combination with other standards such as WAI-ARIA to tag and provide information about the content and the characteristics of the charts and the use of patterns to fill areas as a strategy to differentiate visual variables