PhD Abstract
This research was motivated by the sudden increase of hypermedia
information (such as that found on CD-ROMs and on the World Wide Web),
which was not initially accessible to blind people, although offered
significant advantages over traditional braille and audio-tape information.
Existing non-visual information systems for blind people had very
different designs and functionality, but none of them provided what
was required according to user requirements studies: an easy-to-use
non-visual interface to hypermedia material with a range of input
devices for blind students. Furthermore, there was no single suitable
design and evaluation methodology which could be used for the development
of non-visual information systems. The aims of this research were
therefore: (1) to develop a generic, iterative design and evaluation
methodology consisting of a number of techniques suitable for formative
evaluation of non-visual interfaces; (2) to explore non-visual interaction
possibilities for a multimodal hypermedia browser for blind students
based on user requirements; and (3) to apply the evaluation methodology
to non-visual information systems at different stages of their development.
The methodology developed and recommended consists of a range of
complementary design and evaluation techniques, and successfully allowed
the systematic development of prototype non-visual interfaces for
blind users by identifying usability problems and developing solutions.
Three prototype interfaces are described: the design and evaluation
of two versions of a hypermedia browser; and an evaluation of a digital
talking book.
Recommendations made from the evaluations for an effective non-visual
interface include the provision of a consistent multimodal interface,
non-speech sounds for information and feedback, a range of simple
and consistent commands for reading, navigation, orientation and output
control, and support features. This research will inform developers
of similar systems for blind users, and in addition, the methodology
and design ideas are considered sufficiently generic, but also sufficiently
detailed, that the findings could be applied successfully to the development
of non-visual interfaces of any type.
For further information about Sarah Morley's PhD research or her
publications, please email her at sarah@winguide.co.uk
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