The roles visually impaired users in the development of assistive technologies

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

A

A

B

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

Google’s self driving car

http://youtu.be/cdgQpa1pUUE

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