The roles visually impaired users in the development of assistive technologies
Tersia //Gowases . Roman Bednarik . Markku Tukiainen
Visual impairement refers to a range of visual abilities and limitations
BlindSighted
Field of view
Acuity
Contrast
Color
…
…
ACM SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
9410
2468
33 VI publications (0.35% CHI articles)6% VI worldwide (WHO, 2010)
Total publications(1981-2012)
Full text search
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Single study paper Multi study paper
We identified 46 study cases from the 33 papers that reported involving VI participants
Construct conceptual framework
Design & develop systemarchitecture
Build system (prototype)
Observe & evaluate system
System development research process
Nunamaker et al (1990)
• State meaningful research questions• Review literature for new ideas and
approaches
• Define system functionalities and constraints• Design unique architecture• Define measureable requirements
• Produce high or low fidelity system prototype• Demonstrate the feasibility of the design &
theory
• Evaluate the usability and performance
The roles of research participants
Allison Druin (2002)
Participant roles
System development research processes User Tester Informant Co-designer TOTAL
Construct conceptual framework 3 0 7 0 10
Design & develop system architecture 0 0 0 2 2
Build system (prototype) 2 2 2 0 6
Observe & evaluate system 0 19 9 0 28
TOTAL(Percentage)
5 (12.8%)
21(45.7%)
18(39.1%)
2(4.3%)
46(100%)
Role of VI participants at the different phases of system development
System development research processes User
Construct conceptual framework 3
Design and develop system architecture 0
Build system (prototype) 2
Observe & evaluate system 0
TOTAL(Percentage)
5 (12.8%)
Role: User
• VI users contribute to the development of process by using the technology
• User feedback is collected indirectly (observations, videotape, think aloud) as they interact with the technology
• Laboratory observations
System development research processes Tester
Construct conceptual framework 0
Design and develop system architecture 0
Build system (prototype) 2
Observe & evaluate system 19
TOTAL(Percentage)
21(45.7%)
Role: Tester
• VI • VI participants test the developed system. • Measureable data (usability, performance
measures) is collected as participant interacts with the system
• Participant feedback is indirect (observation or data logs).
• Findings can be used to validate or adapt system
• Laboratory studies, field studies, remote studies
System development research processes Informant
Construct conceptual framework 7
Design and develop system architecture 0
Build system (prototype) 2
Observe & evaluate system 9
TOTAL(Percentage)
18(39.1%)
Role: Informant
• Informants are similar to testers, however they provide information on their subjective opinions and experiences, in addition to measurable data.
• Informants are used in different phases of the development “based on when researchers believe [they] can inform the design process” [Druin, 2002]
• Surveys (interviews and questionnaires).
System development research processes Co-designer
Construct conceptual framework 0
Design and develop system architecture 2
Build system (prototype) 0
Observe & evaluate system 0
TOTAL(Percentage)
2(4.3%)
Role: Co-designer
• VI As co-designers visually impaired participants actively take part in the iterative design of the system.
• Continuous feedback as VI are members of small design teams which also included sighted users • Example [O17]: 1 blind audio
designer, 1 blind haptic designer and 1 sighted audio designer during the design of their assistive haptic feedback application.
National Federation for the Blind Jernigan Institute
• Research and training center developed and directed by the blind themselves
• 2004 Challenge: “In collaboration with the NFB--to build interface technologies that will empower blind people to drive a car independently. ”
Virgina Tech solution to blind driver challenge
http://www.ted.com/talks/dennis_hong_making_a_car_for_blind_drivers.html
Implications of sightless driving
• Estimated $2 Trillion Industry– Drunk drivers– Car pools– Working in transit
• Texting and being on the phone while driving– Fewer accidents (I hope)…
• Self driving cars are now legal in Nevada and California (2012)
Participant roles
System development research processes User Tester Informant Co-designer
Construct conceptual framework
Design & develop system architecture
Build system (prototype)
Observe & evaluate system
Involve participants at all phases of development process
References• Druin, A. The role of children in the design of new technology
Behaviour & Information Technology (2002), 21, 1-25.• Nunamaker, J. F.; Chen, M. & Purdin, T. D. M. Systems
development in information systems research Journal of Management Information Systems. M. E. Sharpe, Inc., 1990, 7, 89-106.
• Google self driving car. http://youtu.be/cdgQpa1pUUE• Airpix car for blind driver http://
www.ted.com/talks/dennis_hong_making_a_car_for_blind_drivers.html
• Blind driver challenge http://www.blinddriverchallenge.org/about-the-blind-driver-challenge