Touchscreen-based Haptic Information Access for assisting Blind and Visually-Impaired Users: Perceptual Parameters and Design Guidelines

Published: 2018

Author(s):
Palani, H.P.
Tennison, J.L.
Giudice, G.B.
Giudice, N.A.
Publication Type:

Publication Name: Touchscreen-based Haptic Information Access for assisting Blind and Visually-Impaired Users: Perceptual Parameters and Design Guidelines

Abstract:

Touchscreen-based smart devices, such as smartphones and tablets, offer great promise for providing blind and visually-impaired (BVI) users with a means for accessing graphics non-visually. However, they also offer novel challenges as they were primarily developed for use as a visual interface. This paper studies key usability parameters governing accurate rendering of haptically-perceivable graphical materials. Three psychophysically-motivated usability studies, incorporating 46 BVI participants, were conducted that identified three key parameters for accurate rendering of vibrotactile lines. Results suggested that the best performance and greatest perceptual salience is obtained with vibrotactile feedback based on: (1) a minimum width of 1mm for detecting lines, (2) a minimum gap of 4mm for discriminating lines rendered parallel to each other, and (3) a minimum angular separation (i.e., cord length) of 4mm for discriminating oriented lines. Findings provide foundational guidelines for converting/rendering visual graphical materials on touchscreen-based interfaces for supporting haptic/vibrotactile information access.

Keywords: Assistive Technology, Haptic information access, Haptic interaction, Multimodal interface, Design Guidelines

Citation:

Palani, H.P., Tennison, J.L., Giudice, G.B., & Giudice, N.A. (2018). Touchscreen-based haptic information access for assisting blind and visually-impaired users: Perceptual parameters and design guidelines. In: Ahram T., Falcão C. (eds.) Advances in Usability, User Experience and Assistive Technology, part of  the International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (AHFE’18). Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 798, (Pp. 837-847). Springer, Cham.

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