The Graphical Access Challenge for People with Visual Impairments: Positions and Pathways Forward
Published: 2019
Publication Name: The Graphical Access Challenge for People with Visual Impairments: Positions and Pathways Forward
Abstract:
Graphical access is one of the most pressing challenges for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. This chapter discusses some of the factors underlying the graphics access challenge, reviews prior approaches to addressing this long-standing information access barrier, and describes some promising new solutions. We specifically focus on touchscreen-based smart devices, a relatively new class of
information access technologies, which our group believes represent an exemplary model of user-centered, needs-based design. We highlight both the challenges and the vast potential of these technologies for alleviating the graphics accessibility gap and share the latest results in this line of research. We close with recommendations on ideological shifts in mindset about how we approach solving this vexing access problem, which will complement both technological and perceptual advancements that are rapidly being uncovered through a growing research community in this domain.Keywords: haptics, touchscreen-based accessibility, vibrotactile displays, multimodal interfaces, information-access technologies
Citation: Gorlewicz, J. L., Tennison, J. L., Palani, H. P., & Giudice, N. A. (2018). The Graphical Access Challenge for People with Visual Impairments: Positions and Pathways Forward. In Interactive Multimedia. IntechOpen (online publication ahead of print).