54 research outputs found

    Digital Navigational Aids for the Visually Impaired A Designer’s Guide for Implementing Effective Feedback Solutions

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    Mobility and navigation in outdoor environments constitute a formidable daily challenge for the blind and visually impaired community. Difficulty in outdoor mobility limits participation in social activities and employment opportunities which in turn contributes to isolation and a decreased sense of mental well-being. To address these challenges, digital navigational aids (NAVIs) extend the capabilities of traditional mobility aids such as guide dogs and the white cane. However, adoption of these new technologies within the blind and visually impaired community has been low. This low adoption rate suggests that a gap exists between current solutions and user needs and goals. As intermediaries between solutions and the users they serve, designers are ideally situated to bridge this gap. Thus, this research aims to provide designers new to the problem space with an understanding of the considerations that inform NAVI design. To build a rudimentary understanding of these considerations, a literature review of individual NAVI research projects and comparative reviews of NAVIs was con-ducted. The interaction design requirements framework proposed by Sharp et al. (2019) was then used as an organizational tool for further defining these considerations. Requirements categories including user experience goals, usability goals, functional requirements, environmental requirements and data requirements were applied as themes in a thematic analysis of data obtained through interviews with NAVI designers and other designers of feedback systems in an effort to identify challenges, designer approaches and areas where improvements could be made to current NAVI design solutions. Findings from expert interviews suggest that developments emerging from the rap-idly evolving technological environment can be leveraged by designers for creating more user friendly and accessible solutions. For example, user familiarity with smartphone interfaces can reduce the learning curve required when adapting to a new smartphone-based NAVI thus increasing the chances of adoption into daily use. Data obtained in interviews also examines the methods by which designers improve usability, including users not only in their iterative processes but through-out the entire life cycle of a NAVI solution. Finally, expert interviews reveal new prototyping tools for designing feedback systems with wearables which streamline the prototyping process and lower the barrier of entry for designers without prior expertise in coding or electronics

    HaptiSole: Wearable Haptic System in Vibrotactile Guidance Shoes for Visually Impaired Wayfinding

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    During the last decade, several Electronic Orientation Aids devices have been proposed to solve the autonomy problems of visually impaired people. When hearing is considered the primary sense for Visually Impaired people (VI) and it is generally loaded with the environment, the use of tactile sense can be considered a solution to transmit directional information. This paper presents a new wearable haptic system based on four motors implemented in shoes, while six directions can be played. This study aims to introduce an interface design and investigate an appropriate means of spatial information delivery through haptic sense. The first experiment of the proposed system was performed with 15 users in an indoor environment. The results showed that the users were able to recognize, with high accuracy, the directions displayed on their feet. The second experiment was conducted in an outdoor environment with five blindfolded users who were guided along 120 meters. The users, guided only by the haptic system, successfully reached their destinations. The potential of tactile-foot stimulation to help VI understand Electronic Orientation Aids (EOA) instructions was discussed, and future challenges were defined

    Accessible Autonomy: Exploring Inclusive Autonomous Vehicle Design and Interaction for People who are Blind and Visually Impaired

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    Autonomous vehicles are poised to revolutionize independent travel for millions of people experiencing transportation-limiting visual impairments worldwide. However, the current trajectory of automotive technology is rife with roadblocks to accessible interaction and inclusion for this demographic. Inaccessible (visually dependent) interfaces and lack of information access throughout the trip are surmountable, yet nevertheless critical barriers to this potentially lifechanging technology. To address these challenges, the programmatic dissertation research presented here includes ten studies, three published papers, and three submitted papers in high impact outlets that together address accessibility across the complete trip of transportation. The first paper began with a thorough review of the fully autonomous vehicle (FAV) and blind and visually impaired (BVI) literature, as well as the underlying policy landscape. Results guided prejourney ridesharing needs among BVI users, which were addressed in paper two via a survey with (n=90) transit service drivers, interviews with (n=12) BVI users, and prototype design evaluations with (n=6) users, all contributing to the Autonomous Vehicle Assistant: an award-winning and accessible ridesharing app. A subsequent study with (n=12) users, presented in paper three, focused on prejourney mapping to provide critical information access in future FAVs. Accessible in-vehicle interactions were explored in the fourth paper through a survey with (n=187) BVI users. Results prioritized nonvisual information about the trip and indicated the importance of situational awareness. This effort informed the design and evaluation of an ultrasonic haptic HMI intended to promote situational awareness with (n=14) participants (paper five), leading to a novel gestural-audio interface with (n=23) users (paper six). Strong support from users across these studies suggested positive outcomes in pursuit of actionable situational awareness and control. Cumulative results from this dissertation research program represent, to our knowledge, the single most comprehensive approach to FAV BVI accessibility to date. By considering both pre-journey and in-vehicle accessibility, results pave the way for autonomous driving experiences that enable meaningful interaction for BVI users across the complete trip of transportation. This new mode of accessible travel is predicted to transform independent travel for millions of people with visual impairment, leading to increased independence, mobility, and quality of life

    Play Among Books

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    How does coding change the way we think about architecture? Miro Roman and his AI Alice_ch3n81 develop a playful scenario in which they propose coding as the new literacy of information. They convey knowledge in the form of a project model that links the fields of architecture and information through two interwoven narrative strands in an “infinite flow” of real books

    Factors Affecting the Accessibility of IT Artifacts: A Systematic Review

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    Accessibility awareness and development have improved in the past two decades, but many users still encounter accessibility barriers when using information technology (IT) artifacts (e.g., user interfaces and websites). Current research in information systems and human-computer interaction disciplines explores methods, techniques, and factors affecting the accessibility of IT artifacts for a particular population and provides solutions to address these barriers. However, design realized in one solution should be used to provide accessibility to the widest range of users, which requires an integration of solutions. To identify the factors that cause accessibility barriers and the solutions for users with different needs, a systematic literature review was conducted. This paper contributes to the existing body of knowledge by revealing (1) management- and development-level factors, and (2) user perspective factors affecting accessibility that address different accessibility barriers to different groups of population (based on the International Classification of Functioning by the World Health Organization). Based on these findings, we synthesize and illustrate the factors and solutions that need to be addressed when creating an accessible IT artifact

    Towards Design Theory for Accessible IT Artefacts

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    Accessibility in the use of information technology (IT) artefacts, such as websites, applications, and user interfaces, means that they are designed in such a way that people with the broadest range of abilities can use them. However, although accessibility is a human right, IT artefacts often remain inaccessible. Aside from the available accessibility guidelines, we need sufficient design theories that explicitly state how accessibility should be addressed and designed to develop accessible IT artefacts for all users. This dissertation summarises four articles that address this problem. These studies are conducted with qualitative approaches that include a narrative literature review, a systematic literature review and a design science method comprising a participatory design and interviews. The first article develops an explaining theory of accessibility to gain an understanding of the construct of accessibility, showing possible variables of human abilities, tasks and contexts and their relationships in IT use. The second article illustrates the factors in management, development, user, and IT artefact features, including the roles and actions that these domains have and how they affect the realisation of accessibility. The other two articles contribute to accessibility guidance to improve and support content creators’ text production and writing process of accessible online text in the web context. The dissertation underscores three key determinants of the knowledge of accessibility: (1) assumptions of users’ abilities; (2) users’ actual needs; and (3) factors in the development chain. The foregoing factors contribute to the knowledge of accessibility and would help researchers, particularly design scientists, form prescriptive knowledge for practitioners to achieve accessible IT artefacts. Thus, researchers could better identify the variables, relationships and affecting factors in human abilities, management, development, content creation, tasks, and contexts that need to be addressed when designing IT artefacts for certain tasks and use contexts.Informaatioteknologia-artefaktien (IT-artefaktien), kuten verkkosivustojen, sovellusten ja kĂ€yttöliittymien saavutettavuus tarkoittaa sitĂ€, ettĂ€ ihmiset erilaisine ominaisuuksineen ja kykyineen voivat kĂ€yttÀÀ niitĂ€. Vaikka saavutettavuus on ihmisoikeus, IT-artefaktit eivĂ€t kuitenkaan ole aina saavutettavia. KĂ€ytettĂ€vissĂ€ olevista saavutettavuusohjeista huolimatta tarvitsemme suunnitteluteorioita, jotka ohjaavat IT-artefaktien suunnittelua, jotta niistĂ€ tulisi saavutettavia kaikille IT-artefaktin kĂ€yttĂ€jille. TĂ€mĂ€ vĂ€itöskirja on yhteenveto neljĂ€stĂ€ artikkelista, jotka kĂ€sittelevĂ€t tĂ€tĂ€ ongelmaa. Tutkimukset ovat tehty laadullisilla menetelmillĂ€, joihin on sisĂ€ltynyt narratiivinen kirjallisuuskatsaus, systemaattinen kirjallisuuskatsaus sekĂ€ suunnittelutieteellinen menetelmĂ€ sisĂ€ltĂ€en osallistavan suunnittelun ja haastattelut. EnsimmĂ€isessĂ€ artikkelissa kehitetÀÀn kuvaileva saavutettavuuden teoria, jolla saadaan kĂ€sitys saavutettavuuden rakenteesta ja joka nĂ€yttÀÀ mahdolliset muuttujat ihmisen kyvyissĂ€, tehtĂ€vissĂ€ ja konteksteissa, sekĂ€ niiden vĂ€liset suhteet. Toinen artikkeli kuvaa saavutettavuuteen vaikuttavia tekijöitĂ€ johtamisen, kehityksen, kĂ€yttĂ€jĂ€n ja IT-artefaktin ominaisuuksien nĂ€kökulmista, mukaan lukien roolit ja toimenpiteet, joita nĂ€illĂ€ kohteilla on. Kaksi muuta artikkelia kehittĂ€vĂ€t ohjeistuksen sisĂ€llöntuottajien työn tueksi saavutettavan verkkotekstin tuottamiseksi. VĂ€itöskirjassa esitetÀÀn kolme ratkaisevaa tekijÀÀ saavutettavuuden tietĂ€myksessĂ€: (1) olettamukset kĂ€yttĂ€jien kyvyistĂ€ (2) kĂ€yttĂ€jien todelliset tarpeet ja (3) tekijĂ€t kehitysketjussa. NĂ€iden tekijöiden tuntemus auttaa erityisesti suunnittelutieteilijöitĂ€ muodostamaan ohjaavaa tietoa ammattilaisille saavutettavien IT-artefaktien saavuttamiseksi. TĂ€ten tutkijat voivat paremmin tunnistaa muuttujat, niiden vĂ€liset suhteet ja saavutettavuuteen vaikuttavat tekijĂ€t, jotka liittyvĂ€t kĂ€yttĂ€jĂ€n kykyihin, johtamiseen, kehittĂ€miseen, sisĂ€llöntuottamiseen, tehtĂ€viin ja kontekstiin, kun IT-artefaktia suunnitellaan tiettyĂ€ tehtĂ€vÀÀ ja kĂ€yttökontekstia varten.fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed

    Multi-Sensory Interaction for Blind and Visually Impaired People

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    This book conveyed the visual elements of artwork to the visually impaired through various sensory elements to open a new perspective for appreciating visual artwork. In addition, the technique of expressing a color code by integrating patterns, temperatures, scents, music, and vibrations was explored, and future research topics were presented. A holistic experience using multi-sensory interaction acquired by people with visual impairment was provided to convey the meaning and contents of the work through rich multi-sensory appreciation. A method that allows people with visual impairments to engage in artwork using a variety of senses, including touch, temperature, tactile pattern, and sound, helps them to appreciate artwork at a deeper level than can be achieved with hearing or touch alone. The development of such art appreciation aids for the visually impaired will ultimately improve their cultural enjoyment and strengthen their access to culture and the arts. The development of this new concept aids ultimately expands opportunities for the non-visually impaired as well as the visually impaired to enjoy works of art and breaks down the boundaries between the disabled and the non-disabled in the field of culture and arts through continuous efforts to enhance accessibility. In addition, the developed multi-sensory expression and delivery tool can be used as an educational tool to increase product and artwork accessibility and usability through multi-modal interaction. Training the multi-sensory experiences introduced in this book may lead to more vivid visual imageries or seeing with the mind’s eye

    Touch- and Walkable Virtual Reality to Support Blind and Visually Impaired Peoples‘ Building Exploration in the Context of Orientation and Mobility

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    Der Zugang zu digitalen Inhalten und Informationen wird immer wichtiger fĂŒr eine erfolgreiche Teilnahme an der heutigen, zunehmend digitalisierten Zivilgesellschaft. Solche Informationen werden meist visuell prĂ€sentiert, was den Zugang fĂŒr blinde und sehbehinderte Menschen einschrĂ€nkt. Die grundlegendste Barriere ist oft die elementare Orientierung und MobilitĂ€t (und folglich die soziale MobilitĂ€t), einschließlich der Erlangung von Kenntnissen ĂŒber unbekannte GebĂ€ude vor deren Besuch. Um solche Barrieren zu ĂŒberbrĂŒcken, sollten technische Hilfsmittel entwickelt und eingesetzt werden. Es ist ein Kompromiss zwischen technologisch niedrigschwellig zugĂ€nglichen und verbreitbaren Hilfsmitteln und interaktiv-adaptiven, aber komplexen Systemen erforderlich. Die Anpassung der Technologie der virtuellen RealitĂ€t (VR) umfasst ein breites Spektrum an Entwicklungs- und Entscheidungsoptionen. Die Hauptvorteile der VR-Technologie sind die erhöhte InteraktivitĂ€t, die Aktualisierbarkeit und die Möglichkeit, virtuelle RĂ€ume und Modelle als Abbilder von realen RĂ€umen zu erkunden, ohne dass reale Gefahren und die begrenzte VerfĂŒgbarkeit von sehenden Helfern auftreten. Virtuelle Objekte und Umgebungen haben jedoch keine physische Beschaffenheit. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es daher zu erforschen, welche VR-Interaktionsformen sinnvoll sind (d.h. ein angemessenes Verbreitungspotenzial bieten), um virtuelle ReprĂ€sentationen realer GebĂ€ude im Kontext von Orientierung und MobilitĂ€t berĂŒhrbar oder begehbar zu machen. Obwohl es bereits inhaltlich und technisch disjunkte Entwicklungen und Evaluationen zur VR-Technologie gibt, fehlt es an empirischer Evidenz. ZusĂ€tzlich bietet diese Arbeit einen Überblick ĂŒber die verschiedenen Interaktionen. Nach einer Betrachtung der menschlichen Physiologie, Hilfsmittel (z.B. taktile Karten) und technologischen Eigenschaften wird der aktuelle Stand der Technik von VR vorgestellt und die Anwendung fĂŒr blinde und sehbehinderte Nutzer und der Weg dorthin durch die EinfĂŒhrung einer neuartigen Taxonomie diskutiert. Neben der Interaktion selbst werden Merkmale des Nutzers und des GerĂ€ts, der Anwendungskontext oder die nutzerzentrierte Entwicklung bzw. Evaluation als Klassifikatoren herangezogen. BegrĂŒndet und motiviert werden die folgenden Kapitel durch explorative AnsĂ€tze, d.h. im Bereich 'small scale' (mit sogenannten Datenhandschuhen) und im Bereich 'large scale' (mit einer avatargesteuerten VR-Fortbewegung). Die folgenden Kapitel fĂŒhren empirische Studien mit blinden und sehbehinderten Nutzern durch und geben einen formativen Einblick, wie virtuelle Objekte in Reichweite der HĂ€nde mit haptischem Feedback erfasst werden können und wie verschiedene Arten der VR-Fortbewegung zur Erkundung virtueller Umgebungen eingesetzt werden können. Daraus werden gerĂ€teunabhĂ€ngige technologische Möglichkeiten und auch Herausforderungen fĂŒr weitere Verbesserungen abgeleitet. Auf der Grundlage dieser Erkenntnisse kann sich die weitere Forschung auf Aspekte wie die spezifische Gestaltung interaktiver Elemente, zeitlich und rĂ€umlich kollaborative Anwendungsszenarien und die Evaluation eines gesamten Anwendungsworkflows (d.h. Scannen der realen Umgebung und virtuelle Erkundung zu Trainingszwecken sowie die Gestaltung der gesamten Anwendung in einer langfristig barrierefreien Weise) konzentrieren.Access to digital content and information is becoming increasingly important for successful participation in today's increasingly digitized civil society. Such information is mostly presented visually, which restricts access for blind and visually impaired people. The most fundamental barrier is often basic orientation and mobility (and consequently, social mobility), including gaining knowledge about unknown buildings before visiting them. To bridge such barriers, technological aids should be developed and deployed. A trade-off is needed between technologically low-threshold accessible and disseminable aids and interactive-adaptive but complex systems. The adaptation of virtual reality (VR) technology spans a wide range of development and decision options. The main benefits of VR technology are increased interactivity, updatability, and the possibility to explore virtual spaces as proxies of real ones without real-world hazards and the limited availability of sighted assistants. However, virtual objects and environments have no physicality. Therefore, this thesis aims to research which VR interaction forms are reasonable (i.e., offering a reasonable dissemination potential) to make virtual representations of real buildings touchable or walkable in the context of orientation and mobility. Although there are already content and technology disjunctive developments and evaluations on VR technology, there is a lack of empirical evidence. Additionally, this thesis provides a survey between different interactions. Having considered the human physiology, assistive media (e.g., tactile maps), and technological characteristics, the current state of the art of VR is introduced, and the application for blind and visually impaired users and the way to get there is discussed by introducing a novel taxonomy. In addition to the interaction itself, characteristics of the user and the device, the application context, or the user-centered development respectively evaluation are used as classifiers. Thus, the following chapters are justified and motivated by explorative approaches, i.e., in the group of 'small scale' (using so-called data gloves) and in the scale of 'large scale' (using an avatar-controlled VR locomotion) approaches. The following chapters conduct empirical studies with blind and visually impaired users and give formative insight into how virtual objects within hands' reach can be grasped using haptic feedback and how different kinds of VR locomotion implementation can be applied to explore virtual environments. Thus, device-independent technological possibilities and also challenges for further improvements are derived. On the basis of this knowledge, subsequent research can be focused on aspects such as the specific design of interactive elements, temporally and spatially collaborative application scenarios, and the evaluation of an entire application workflow (i.e., scanning the real environment and exploring it virtually for training purposes, as well as designing the entire application in a long-term accessible manner)

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