The representation of pictorial data by people who are blind and sight impaired has gathered momentum with research and development; however, little research has focused on the use of a screen layout ...to provide people who are blind and sight impaired users with the spatial orientation to create and reuse graphics. This article contributes an approach to navigating on the screen, manipulating computer graphics, and user-defined images. The technique described in this article enables features such as zooming, grouping, and drawing by calling primitive and user-defined shapes. It enables blind people to engage in and experience drawing and art production on their own. The navigation technique gives an initiative sense of autonomy with compass directions, makes it easy to learn, efficient to manipulate shape with a the simple drawing language, and takes less time to complete with system support features. An empirical evaluation was conducted to validate the suitability of the SETUP09 technique and to evaluate the accuracy, and efficiency of the navigation and drawing techniques proposed. The drawing experiment results confirmed high accuracy (88%) and efficiency among blind and visually impaired (BVI) users.
We present in this paper the state of the art and an analysis of recent research work and achievements performed in the domain of AI-based and vision-based systems for helping blind and visually ...impaired people (BVIP). We start by highlighting the recent and tremendous importance that AI has acquired following the use of convolutional neural networks (CNN) and their ability to solve image classification tasks efficiently. After that, we also note that VIP have high expectations about AI-based systems as a possible way to ease the perception of their environment and to improve their everyday life. Then, we set the scope of our survey: we concentrate our investigations on the use of CNN or related methods in a vision-based system for helping BVIP. We analyze the existing surveys, and we study the current work (a selection of 30 case studies) using several dimensions such as acquired data, learned models, and human–computer interfaces. We compare the different approaches, and conclude by analyzing future trends in this domain.
This article compares two methods of employing novice Web workers to author descriptions of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics images to make them accessible to individuals with visual ...and print-reading disabilities. The goal is to identify methods of creating image descriptions that are inexpensive, effective, and follow established accessibility guidelines. The first method explicitly presented the guidelines to the worker, then the worker constructed the image description in an empty text box and table. The second method queried the worker for image information and then used responses to construct a template-based description according to established guidelines. The descriptions generated through queried image description (QID) were more likely to include information on the image category, title, caption, and units. They were also more similar to one another, based on Jaccard distances of q-grams, indicating that their word usage and structure were more standardized. Last, the workers preferred describing images using QID and found the task easier. Therefore, explicit instruction on image-description guidelines is not sufficient to produce quality image descriptions when using novice Web workers. Instead, it is better to provide information about images, then generate descriptions from responses using templates.
Assistive technology in rehabilitation programs is vital for people with vision impairments worldwide. The term "blind assistive technology" refers to mobility devices specifically designed to ...provide position, orientation and mobility assistance for visually impaired individuals during indoor and outdoor activities. The paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of 140 research articles published over the past 75 years (1946 to 2022). This research analyses the evolution of assistive technology aids in depth, in terms sensing technique followed, algorithms employed for obstacle detection, localization, object recognition, depth estimation and scene understanding. It also includes, the functional attributes of the aid, feedback type, and assistive solutions embedded in aid. It evaluates the assistive aids for their usability index, portability, battery life, feedback type, and aesthetics. The survey findings reveal that optical and sonic sensor-based aids prioritize speed, weight, and battery life but lack major functionalities, achieving an average performance score of 62%. Stereo, monocular, SLAM, and 3-D point cloud-based aids excel in obstacle distance estimation and avoidance but require greater memory resources, with a lower performance score of 41%. Artificial intelligence and cloud-based aids offer comprehensive scene details but demand complex computational capabilities, achieving a performance score of 44%. However, the most suitable technology for developing state-of-the-art solutions for blind individuals is the multisensor fusion-based and guide robot-based aids, providing a majority of the essential assistive functions with a performance score of 51%. The study highlights possible challenges associated with implementing assistive technology aids, emphasizes the importance of user acceptability, and stresses the need for real-time evaluation of blind aids. The paper lays a concrete foundation and direction for future development, emphasizing the critical challenges faced by blind users, including boarding trains, traveling on public transport, shopping in a supermarket, avoiding dynamic obstacles, and real-time understanding of the surrounding scene. Addressing these key concerns is crucial for the continued development and improvement of assistive technology aids for the visually impaired, leading to enhanced independence, mobility, and ultimately, a higher quality of life.
Access to complex graphical information is essential when connecting blind and visually impaired (BVI) people with the world. Tactile graphics readers enable access to graphical data through ...audio-tactile user interfaces (UIs), but these have yet to mature. A challenging task for blind people is locating specific elements–areas in detailed tactile graphics. To this end, we developed three audio navigation UIs that dynamically guide the user’s hand to a specific position using audio feedback. One is based on submarine sonar sounds, another relies on the target’s coordinate plan x and y-axis, and the last uses direct voice instructions. The UIs were implemented in the Tactonom Reader device, a new tactile graphic reader that enhances swell paper graphics with pinpointed audio explanations. To evaluate the effectiveness of the three different dynamic navigation UIs, we conducted a within-subject usability test that involved 13 BVI participants. Beyond comparing the effectiveness of the different UIs, we observed and recorded the interaction of the visually impaired participants with the different navigation UI to further investigate their behavioral patterns during the interaction. We observed that user interfaces that required the user to move their hand in a straight direction were more likely to provoke frustration and were often perceived as challenging for blind and visually impaired people. The analysis revealed that the voice-based navigation UI guides the participant the fastest to the target and does not require prior training. This suggests that a voice-based navigation strategy is a promising approach for designing an accessible user interface for the blind.
This paper presents a systematic literature review that reflects the current state of research in the field of algorithms and models for map generalization, the existing solutions for automatic ...(tactile) map generation, as well as good practices for designing spatial databases for the purposes of automatic map development. A total number of over 500 primary studies were screened in order to identify the most relevant research on automatic (tactile) map generation from the last decade. The reviewed papers revealed many existing solutions in the field of automatic map production, as well as algorithms (e.g., Douglas–Peucker, Visvalingam–Whyatt) and models (e.g., GAEL, CartACom) for data generalization that might be used to transform traditional spatial data into the haptic form, suitable for blind and visually impaired people. However, it turns out that a comprehensive solution for automatic tactile map generation does not exist.
The South African Library for the Blind (SALB) contributes to the quality of life of print-impaired people encouraging independence through access to information, informed decision making, and taking ...pleasure in the enjoyment of recreational reading. In realizing the vision, SALB implemented two strategic models; agent mini-libraries and comprehensive mini-libraries. Management and administration of the services rendered is covered in detail. The project was pioneered in one of the provinces and has been rolled out to other provinces. The paper highlights how visually impaired people experience in a tangible manner, assistive technologies, training and interaction with community members and use libraries.
Celem badań było poznanie podejmowania uczestnictwa w aktywności fizycznej przez niewidomych i słabowidzących oraz wpływu aktywności fizycznej osób z niepełnosprawnością narządu wzroku na jakość ich ...życia. Badaniu podlegały takie elementy, jak: czas, częstotliwość, rodzaj, forma i miejsce podejmowanej aktywności fizycznej. Badania prowadzone były na terenie Szczecina wśród osób z dysfunkcją wzroku, zrzeszonych w Zachodniopomorskim Okręgu Polskiego Związku Niewidomych – objęto nimi 81 osób (41 – dzieci i młodzież, 40 – osoby dorosłe). Każdy z uczestników dobrowolnie wyraził zgodę na uczestniczenie w badaniu. Metodą badań był sondaż diagnostyczny z wykorzystaniem autorskiego kwestionariusza ankietowego. Z przeprowadzonych badań wynika, że pomimo trudności i barier, które dotykają osoby z dysfunkcją wzroku, podejmują one uczestnictwo w różnych formach aktywności fizycznej, a najczęściej wybierają spacery, jazdę rowerem i pływanie. Uzyskane wyniki dowodzą, że jest to możliwe pod warunkiem zaangażowania odpowiednio przygotowanych instruktorów i trenerów sportowych oraz dostosowania sprzętu, klubów fitness, siłowni itp. do potrzeb osób z tym rodzajem niepełnosprawności.
This article presents a study aimed at assessing an application offering audio description for mobile devices. By means of questionnaires, three features of the application were evaluated: usability, ...utility and quality. Fifteen blind and visually impaired volunteers participated in the study, which took place in real-life conditions—during a film festival screening. The results indicated positive ratings of all three assessed features, but also pointed to specific elements that could be subject to improvement. Overall, the application was considered as having good potential. Modifications were introduced, and the application is currently fully operational. The application can be used as a tool for providing improved access to cinema content, making cinema accessible for all.
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