Guidelines for the Development and Improvement of Universal Access Systems for Blind Students

Guidelines for the Development and Improvement of Universal Access Systems for Blind Students

David Arnim1, Benito S. Piuzzi1, Chang S. Nam1, and Donghun Chung2

1 Department of Industrial Engineering

University of Arkansas

4207 Bell Engineering Center, Fayetteville, AR 72701, U.S.A

{darnim, bpiuzzi, cnam}@uark.edu

2 School of Communication

Kwangwoon University

447-1 Wolgye-Dong, Nowon-Gu, Seoul Korea 139-70a

donghunc@uark.edu

Abstract: This paper describes a study conducted to develop a set of interface design principles and guidelines that can be used to develop and improve universal access systems for the visually impaired, such as Haptic Audio Virtual Environments (HAVEs). Over the last few decades, user interface systems have advanced to allowing users to interact with computational systems physically, perceptively, and conceptually. However, this process has also left blind and partially blind users unable to access such new technologies. It is also true that there are currently only limited methods for presenting information non-visually and these do not provide an equivalent speed and ease of use to their graphical counterparts. Comprehensible design principles and guidelines addressing the needs of blind users should be helpful when developing universal access systems, such as haptic audio virtual environments that use multiple sensory modalities to present information.

Keywords: universal access, assistive technology, design principles and guidelines.

1 Introduction

Blind and partially blind users have been left behind in the technology development because of the increase of icon rich computer environments [1]. In addition, there are currently only limited methods for presenting information non-visually and these do not provide an equivalent speed and ease of use to their graphical counterparts [2]. Human computer interaction (HCI) frequently elicits the image of a fully sighted user, periodically...