The Application of Geographic Information Systems to Support Wayfinding for People with Visual Impairments or Blindness

People with visual impairments or legal blindness are relying on differing, comprehensive information utilized for their individual mobility. Increasing the personal mobility of people with disabilities and thereby achieving a self-determined life are major steps toward a more inclusive society. Research and applications on mobility issues of people with visual impairments or blindness mainly focus on technical applications or assistive orientation and navigation devices, and less work is covering the individual needs, e.g., regarding the information required for wayfinding. Moreover, active participation of people with disabilities in research and development is still limited. ways2see offers a new online application to support individual mobility in context of pre-trip planning for people with visual impairments or blindness based on a Geographic Information System (GIS). Obstacles, barriers, landmarks, orientation hints, and directions for wayfinding are generated by user profiles. The underlying network for GIS analysis is designed as pedestrian network. This individually coded network approach integrates sidewalks and different types of crossings and implements various orientation and navigation attributes. ways2see integrates three research realms: firstly, implementing a participative and transdisciplinary research design; secondly, integrating personalized information aligned with the individual user needs; and thirdly, presenting result of GIS analysis through an accessible designed user interface

Intelligent Context-Aware and Adaptive Interface for Mobile LBS

Context-aware user interface plays an important role in many human-computer Interaction tasks of location based services. Although spatial models for context-aware systems have been studied extensively, how to locate specific spatial information for users is still not well resolved, which is important in the mobile environment where location based services users are impeded by device limitations. Better context-aware human-computer interaction models of mobile location based services are needed not just to predict performance outcomes, such as whether people will be able to find the information needed to complete a human-computer interaction task, but to understand human processes that interact in spatial query, which will in turn inform the detailed design of better user interfaces in mobile location based services. In this study, a context-aware adaptive model for mobile location based services interface is proposed, which contains three major sections: purpose, adjustment, and adaptation. Based on this model we try to describe the process of user operation and interface adaptation clearly through the dynamic interaction between users and the interface. Then we show how the model applies users’ demands in a complicated environment and suggested the feasibility by the experimental results

A Haptic System for Depicting Mathematical Graphics for Students with Visual Impairments

When teaching students with visual impairments educators generally rely on tactile tools to depict visual mathematical topics. Tactile media, such as embossed paper and simple manipulable materials, are typically used to convey graphical information. Although these tools are easy to use and relatively inexpensive, they are solely tactile and are not modifiable. Dynamic and interactive technologies such as pin matrices and haptic pens are also commercially available, but tend to be more expensive and less intuitive. This study aims to bridge the gap between easy-to-use tactile tools and dynamic, interactive technologies in order to facilitate the haptic learning of mathematical concepts. We developed an haptic assistive device using a Tanvas electrostatic touchscreen that provides the user with multimodal (haptic, auditory, and visual) output. Three methodological steps comprise this research: 1) a systematic literature review of the state of the art in the design and testing of tactile and haptic assistive devices, 2) a user-centered system design, and 3) testing of the system’s effectiveness via a usability study. The electrostatic touchscreen exhibits promise as an assistive device for displaying visual mathematical elements via the haptic modality

A STUDY TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUTOMATED HAPTIC USER INTERFACE (AHUI) FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED

An increasing amount of information content used in schools, work and everyday living is being presented in graphical form, creating accessibility challenges for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, especially in dynamic environments, such as over the internet. Refreshable haptic displays that can interact with computers can be used to access such information tactually. Main focus of this study was the development of specialized computer applications allowing users to actively compensate for the inherent issues of haptics when exploring visual diagrams as compared to vision, which we hypothesized, would improve the usability of such devices. An intuitive zooming algorithm capable of automatically detecting significant different zoom levels, providing auditory feedback, preventing cropping of information and preventing zooming in on areas where no features were present was developed to compensate for the lower spatial resolution of haptics and was found to significantly improve the performance of the participants. Another application allowing the users to perform dynamic simplifications on the diagram to compensate for the serial based nature of processing 2D geometric information was tested and found to significantly improve the performance of the participants. For both applications participants liked the user interface and found it more usable, as expected. In addition, in this study we investigated methods that can be used to effectively present different visual features as well as overlaying features present in the visual diagrams. Three methods using several combinations of tactile and auditory modalities were tested. We found that the performance significantly improves when using the overlapping method using different modalities. For tactile only methods developed for deaf blind individuals, the toggle method was surprisingly preferred as compared to the overlapping method

Incorporación de símbolos tridimensionales en planos táctiles para la mejora de su usabilidad

Objetivo: El estudio que aquí se expone tiene como objetivo principal la mejora de la usabilidad de los planos táctiles orientados a personas con discapacidad visual. Metodología: A partir de una metodología experimental principalmente cuantitativa como la medición de los tiempos de ejecución y errores cometidos en tareas propias del empleo de planos táctiles y, también, el uso de instrumentos como encuestas y mapas cognitivos, se han realizado una serie de cinco experimentos con usuarios de los que se ha extraído una amplio numero de datos indicadores de la eficacia y eficiencia en el uso de este tipo de dispositivos, así como de su valoración subjetiva. Resultados: Los resultados obtenidos en estos experimentos indican una valoración positiva de los planos táctiles como instrumentos para la mejora del aprendizaje espacial por parte de usuarios con discapacidad visual, así como una mejoría en términos de usabilidad producida por el efecto de introducir determinada simbología tridimensional en planos táctiles.Objective: The study presented here has as main objective the improvement of the usability of tactile maps oriented to people with visual disabilities. Methodology: On basis of a quantitative experimental methodology seven experiments with users have been conducted, mesuring time on task and errors; survey have been conducted as well. A large number of data indicative of the effectiveness and efficiency of tactile maps and their subjetive rating have been obtained. In addition, cognitive maps have been used as qualitative methodology. Results: The results of these experiments indicate a positive assessment of tactile maps as devices for improving spatial learning by visually impaired users, as well as an improvement of tactile maps, in terms of usability, by the effect of introducing three-dimensional symbology.Postprint (published version

Visual Impairment and Blindness

Blindness and vision impairment affect at least 2.2 billion people worldwide with most individuals having a preventable vision impairment. The majority of people with vision impairment are older than 50 years, however, vision loss can affect people of all ages. Reduced eyesight can have major and long-lasting effects on all aspects of life, including daily personal activities, interacting with the community, school and work opportunities, and the ability to access public services. This book provides an overview of the effects of blindness and visual impairment in the context of the most common causes of blindness in older adults as well as children, including retinal disorders, cataracts, glaucoma, and macular or corneal degeneration

Modelo multissensorial desenvolvido por tecnologias 3d para o auxílio na percepção da forma de peças museológicas por pessoas com deficiência visual

O uso de tecnologias 3D aliadas ao design oferece novas oportunidades para o campo da tecnologia assistiva. Em museus, há um grande potencial para o desenvolvimento de réplicas táteis que visem, principalmente, incluir o público com deficiência visual. Porém, são escassos os estudos de sistemas multissensoriais aplicados nessas réplicas, por exemplo, combinando tato e audição. Nesse contexto, essa pesquisa tem por objetivo o desenvolvimento e a avaliação de um sistema multissensorial, desenvolvido por tecnologias 3D, para o auxílio a pessoas com deficiência visual na percepção da forma de peças museológicas. Para tanto, o estudo foi conduzido junto ao Museu de Porto Alegre, tendo início com a digitalização 3D de uma peça do acervo e sua respectiva conversão em um modelo virtual, o qual foi posteriormente impresso em 3D. Em paralelo, a fim de possibilitar a interação entre a réplica tátil e o usuário, foi selecionado um sensor de toque capacitivo como o responsável pelo feedback de áudio, bem como foi desenvolvida a programação do sistema. Em meio a isso, desenvolveu-se uma tinta condutora para atuar como o sensor de toque capacitivo supracitado, a qual foi aplicada em regiões selecionadas para serem descritas aos usuários. Assim que o sistema foi montado junto ao modelo finalizado, o roteiro das audiodescrições foi escrito, gravado e incluído no sistema. Por fim, o modelo multissensorial foi avaliado por meio de um teste piloto e, posteriormente, foi realizada uma consultoria de audiodescrição junto a um profissional com deficiência visual, no intuito de otimizar as audiodescrições, bem como colocar o modelo multissensorial à prova, visando observar o desempenho, pontos positivos e negativos. Como resultado, o sistema tornou-se autossuficiente e o usuário livre para utilizar o sistema de múltiplas formas, seja seguindo as orientações sugeridas, seja explorando-o conforme desejado, bem como retomando informações que queira ouvir novamente. Assim, os resultados indicam que o sistema desenvolvido é eficiente quanto ao auxílio na percepção da forma por uma pessoa com deficiência visual e já poderia ser implementado em um museu para promover a acessibilidade.The application of 3D technology in design brings in new opportunities to the field of assistive technology. In museums, there is vast potential in the development of tactile replicas with the goal to include visually impaired people. However, there is a significant lack of research approaching multi-sensory systems applied in these replicas combining touch and hearing, for example. In this context, this paper intends to both elaborate and assess a multi-sensory system, developed with the use of 3D technology, for the assistance of people with visual deficiency in the perception of museum exhibits. For this purpose, this study was carried out closely with the Museum of Porto Alegre, beginning from the 3D digitization of an exhibit and its conversion to a virtual model, which was afterward printed in 3D. Simultaneously, in order to enable the interaction between the tactile replica and the user, a capacitive touch sensor was set to be responsible for the audio feedback, and the system programming was also consolidated. A conductive paint was conceived to act as the touch capacitive sensor mentioned above, which was applied in previously selected regions to be described to the users. Once the system was assembled together with the finalized model, the script for the audio descriptions was written, recorded and incorporated into the system. Lastly, the multi-sensory model was assessed by means of a trial, and then a visually impaired professional was consulted on the audio description, with the purpose of optimizing the audio descriptions as well as to put the multi-sensory model to the test, aiming to analyze its performance. As a result, the system could be declared self sufficient, and the user was able to operate the system in multiple ways, whether following the instructions suggested, or exploring it as desired, as well as to revisit information if they perchance wanted to listen again. Thus, the results indicate that the developed system is efficient in regards to aiding the perception of shape to a person with visual deficiency and could already be implemented in a museum so as to amplify the accessibility

Interactive maps for visually impaired people : design, usability and spatial cognition

Connaître la géographie de son environnement urbain est un enjeu important pour les personnes déficientes visuelles. Des cartes tactiles en relief sont généralement utilisées mais elles présentent des limitations importantes (nombre limité d'informations, recours à une légende braille). Les nouvelles technologies permettent d'envisager des solutions innovantes. Nous avons conçu et développé une carte interactive accessible, en suivant un processus de conception participative. Cette carte est basée sur un dispositif multi-touch, une carte tactile en relief et une sortie sonore. Ce dispositif permet au sujet de recueillir des informations en double-cliquant sur certains objets de la carte. Nous avons démontré expérimentalement que ce prototype était plus efficace et plus satisfaisant pour des utilisateurs déficients visuels qu'une carte tactile simple. Nous avons également exploré et testé différents types d'interactions avancées accessibles pour explorer la carte. Cette thèse démontre l'importance des cartes tactiles interactives pour les déficients visuels et leur cognition spatiale.Knowing the geography of an urban environment is crucial for visually impaired people. Tactile relief maps are generally used, but they retain significant limitations (limited amount of information, use of braille legend, etc.). Recent technological progress allows the development of innovative solutions which overcome these limitations. In this thesis, we present the design of an accessible interactive map through a participatory design process. This map is composed by a multi-touch screen with tactile map overlay and speech output. It provides auditory information when tapping on map elements. We have demonstrated in an experiment that our prototype was more effective and satisfactory for visually impaired users than a simple raised-line map. We also explored and tested different types of advanced non-visual interaction for exploring the map. This thesis demonstrates the importance of interactive tactile maps for visually impaired people and their spatial cognition