Basic Human Computer Interface for the Blind

Published in: Innovation and Development for the Americas: Engineering, Education, Research and Development: Proceedings of the 8th Latin American and Caribbean Conference for Engineering and Technology
Date of Conference: June 1-4, 2010
Location of Conference: Arequipa, Peru
Authors: Alcides Alvear Suarez
Raymond Borges Hink
Refereed Paper: #134

Abstract

The graphical user interfaces of modern operating systems have been improving usability at a good rate, but for blind users the progress has been a much slower rate if not declining. It is for this reason that the focus on accessibility should not be to interpret modern GUI’s but to develop an application based on the visually impaired people’s general heuristic interaction with software. To design a blind person’s user interface based on their behavioral characteristics and provide them an independent and enjoyable environment. Using a user centered design working hand in hand with blind people; a basic blind user interface is to be implemented. This interface provides basic interaction but is used independently from installation to task completion. The process will integrate various open source projects that are available under GNU GPL and Open Source Initiative copyleft licenses, so the resulting design will fall under these licenses as well and be open source free software. Some of the applications that are used are: Non Visual Desktop Access, WebbIE web browser and accompanying apps, and Wikipedia and Project Gutenberg public domain free content. The application is currently in its pre-alpha stage and current user experience is being measured to improve usability and gain feedback for improvements.