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• Haptic and Auditive Mesh Inspection for Blind 3D Modelers

  Sebastian Lieb, Benjamin Rosenmeier, Thorsten Thormählen, Knut Buettner · 2020 · Proceedings of the 22nd International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '20)

  This paper presents an affordable audio-haptic system that enables blind and severely visually impaired people to independently inspect 3D mesh objects they create using constructive geometry programming languages like OpenSCAD. Blind 3D modelers typically rely on text-based…

  blindness · haptic feedback · 3D modeling · auditory feedback · assistive technology

• O&M Indoor Virtual Environments for People Who Are Blind: A Systematic Literature Review

  Agebson Rocha Façanha, Ticianne Darin, Windson Viana, Jaime Sánchez · 2020 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This systematic literature review examines virtual environments designed to support indoor orientation and mobility (O&M) training for people who are blind. The authors analyzed 51 papers describing 32 distinct O&M virtual environments, filtering from an initial pool of 987…

  orientation and mobility · O&M training · virtual environments · blindness · visual impairment

• Design Guidelines and Recommendations for Multimodal, Touchscreen-based Graphics

  Jenna L. Gorlewicz, Jennifer L. Tennison, Hari Prasath Palani, Nicholas A. Giudice · 2020 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This paper presents comprehensive design guidelines for creating accessible graphics on touchscreen devices using vibration and audio feedback for people with visual impairments. Drawing on over eight years of research, the authors address a critical gap: while touchscreen…

  tactile graphics · touchscreen accessibility · haptic feedback · multimodal interaction · STEM accessibility

• Feel-It: Personalized Audio-Tactile Web Browsing

  Anatoliy Borodin, Yevgen Borodin, Andrii Soviak, Vikas Ashok, Shirin Disfani, I. V. Ramakrishnan · 2019 · Proceedings of the 16th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This demonstration paper presents Feel-It, a hardware-software system for audio-tactile web browsing that enables blind users to explore the two-dimensional spatial layout of web pages through touch. The core problem addressed is that screen readers reduce web pages to a…

  blindness · haptic feedback · tactile display · web browsing · screen reader

• Addressing the Situational Impairments Encountered by Firefighters through the Design of Alerts

  Flynn Wolf, Priyanka Soni, Ravi Kuber, Dianne Pawluk, Brian Turnage · 2019 · Proceedings of the 16th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This paper describes a structured multi-step approach to designing multimodal alerts for firefighters who experience severe situationally-induced impairments and disabilities (SIIDs) at fire scenes — thick smoke restricting vision, loud noise from combustion, sirens, and power…

  situational impairment · situational disability · haptic feedback · multimodal interaction · participatory design

• Revisiting Blind Photography in the Context of Teachable Object Recognizers

  Kyungjun Lee, Jonggi Hong, Simone Pimento, Ebrima Jarjue, Hernisa Kacorri · 2019 · Proceedings of the 21st International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This paper introduces a real-time audio-haptic feedback system to help people with visual impairments frame objects in their smartphone camera when training teachable object recognizers. The challenge is that teachable recognizers — which let users train personalized models to…

  blind photography · teachable object recognizer · computer vision · deep learning · visual impairment

• A Tangible Math Game for Visually Impaired Children

  Ana Cristina Pires, Sebastian Marichal, Fernando Gonzalez-Perilli, Ewelina Bakala, Bruno Fleischer, Gustavo Sansone, Tiago Guerreiro · 2019 · Proceedings of the 21st International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This demonstration paper presents iCETA, an inclusive interactive system for math learning that enables visually impaired children to autonomously engage with and solve additive composition tasks (addition and subtraction) through tangible interaction. The system was designed…

  visual impairment · children · mathematics accessibility · tangible user interface · inclusive design

• Exploring Haptic Colour Identification Aids

  Richard Nguyen, Connor Geddes · 2019 · Proceedings of the 21st International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This poster paper presents two novel haptic devices — ColourWrist and ColourVest — designed to help people with Colour Vision Deficiency (CVD) identify colors through tactile feedback. Approximately 8% of males and 0.5% of females have some form of CVD, which creates barriers in…

  colour vision deficiency · haptic feedback · sensory substitution · wearable technology · vibrotactile

• A Wearable Input Mechanism for Blind Users of Computers Based on Mental Mapping of Thumb-To-Phalanx Distances

  Yash Naik · 2019 · Proceedings of the 21st International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2019)

  This student research abstract presents Mentalitype, a glove-based wearable keyboard designed to provide blind users with an affordable and portable text input mechanism for computer-based tasks. The system maps 32 push-buttons to the phalanges (finger bones) of both hands, with…

  blindness · wearable technology · text input · assistive technology · alternative keyboards

• Go That Way: Exploring Supplementary Physical Movements by a Stationary Robot When Providing Navigation Instructions

  Xiang Zhi Tan, Elizabeth J. Carter, Samantha Reig, Aaron Steinfeld · 2019 · Proceedings of the 21st International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2019)

  This paper explores how stationary kiosk-type robots might provide navigation instructions to blind people by supplementing verbal directions with physical movements. The work is inspired by a technique used by Orientation and Mobility (O&M) experts called Palm Drawing, in which…

  blindness · human-robot interaction · navigation · haptic feedback · orientation and mobility

• GraVVITAS 2.0: A Framework For Digital Accessible Content Provision

  Cagatay Goncu, Kim Marriott · 2019 · Proceedings of the 21st International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2019)

  This demonstration paper presents GraVVITAS 2.0 (Graphics Viewer using Vibration Interactive Touch and Speech), a framework for making graphical information accessible to people with vision impairments on off-the-shelf mobile devices. The paper argues that while screen readers…

  visual impairment · accessible graphics · tactile graphics · haptic feedback · data visualization

• Leveraging Augmented Reality to Create Apps for People with Visual Disabilities: A Case Study in Indoor Navigation

  Chris Yoon, Ryan Louie, Jeremy Ryan, MinhKhang Vu, Hyegi Bang, William Derksen, Paul Ruvolo · 2019 · Proceedings of the 21st International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2019)

  This paper presents Clew, an iOS app that leverages Apple’s ARKit augmented reality framework to help people who are blind or visually impaired (B/VI) navigate indoor environments — a setting where GPS is unreliable (accuracy drops to ~5m+ indoors). Clew uses visual-inertial…

  augmented reality · indoor navigation · orientation and mobility · blind · low vision

• CaBot: Designing and Evaluating an Autonomous Navigation Robot for Blind People

  João Guerreiro, Daisuke Sato, Saki Asakawa, Huixu Dong, Kris M. Kitani, Chieko Asakawa · 2019 · Proceedings of the 21st International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2019)

  This paper presents CaBot (Carry-on roBot), an autonomous suitcase-shaped navigation robot designed to guide blind people to destinations in unfamiliar indoor environments while avoiding obstacles. Unlike smartphone navigation apps that provide turn-by-turn instructions but…

  navigation robot · blind · orientation and mobility · haptic feedback · LiDAR

• Tangicraft: A Multimodal Interface for Minecraft

  David Bar-El, Thomas Large, Lydia Davison, Marcelo Worsley · 2018 · Proceedings of the 20th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '18)

  This demonstration paper presents Tangicraft, a work-in-progress multimodal interface designed to enable visually impaired children to play and collaborate in Minecraft, one of the world's most popular video games with over 121 million copies sold. Like most commercial games,…

  game accessibility · visual impairment · children · haptic feedback · tangible interface

• Bend Passwords on BendyPass: A User Authentication Method for People with Vision Impairment

  Daniella Briotto Faustino, Audrey Girouard · 2018 · Proceedings of the 20th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '18)

  This demonstration paper presents BendyPass, a flexible silicone device that allows people with vision impairments to enter passwords through physical bend and fold gestures rather than typing PINs or text passwords. The project addresses a significant security concern: more…

  visual impairment · security · user authentication · deformable user interface · haptic feedback

• Design of a Haptic-Gripper Virtual Reality System (Hg) for Analyzing Fine Motor Behaviors in Children with Autism

  Huan Zhao, Zhaobo Zheng, Amy Swanson, Amy Weitlauf, Zachary Warren, Nilanjan Sarkar · 2018 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This paper presents Hg (Haptic-Gripper), a novel virtual reality system designed to assess and train fine motor skills in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). While research on ASD has extensively focused on social and communication deficits, motor impairments—which…

  autism spectrum disorder · fine motor skills · haptic feedback · virtual reality · grip force

• Evaluating Wrist-Based Haptic Feedback for Non-Visual Target Finding and Path Tracing on a 2D Surface

  Jonggi Hong, Alisha Pradhan, Jon E. Froehlich, Leah Findlater · 2017 · Proceedings of the 19th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This paper investigates wrist-worn haptic wristbands as a means to provide directional hand guidance for blind and visually impaired users on a 2D surface. Precisely guiding a blind person's hand has applications ranging from tracing printed text to learning shapes and gestures,…

  haptic feedback · wearable technology · blindness · tactile accessibility · assistive technology

• Participatory Design Using Sensory Substitution Devices with Tactile and Audio Feedback

  Ella Tuson, Samantha Hughson, Christina Zymaris, Ryan King · 2017 · Proceedings of the 19th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This student research paper describes a participatory design study with a single blind participant (TC, blind from birth) to develop a sensory substitution device that provides a physical experience of spatial awareness through tactile or auditory feedback. The study was…

  sensory substitution · blindness · haptic feedback · participatory design · tactile accessibility

• The Tangible Desktop: A Multimodal Approach to Nonvisual Computing

  Mark S. Baldwin, Gillian R. Hayes, Oliver L. Haimson, Jennifer Mankoff, Scott E. Hudson · 2017 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This paper identifies fundamental limitations of audio-only computer interfaces for blind and low-vision users and proposes a multimodal tangible alternative. The researchers conducted a 4-month field study at EmpowerTech, a computer training school for adults who are blind or…

  screen readers · tangible interfaces · haptic feedback · blindness · multimodal interaction

• Principles for Designing Large-Format Refreshable Haptic Graphics Using Touchscreen Devices: An Evaluation of Nonvisual Panning Methods

  Hari Prasath Palani, Nicholas A. Giudice · 2017 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This paper addresses a fundamental challenge in touchscreen-based accessibility: how to provide non-visual access to large-format graphical materials like maps that exceed the device's screen size. While touchscreens represent the fastest-growing computing platform among people…

  tactile graphics · blindness · touchscreen accessibility · haptic feedback · spatial cognition

• Multimodal Perception of Histological Images for Persons Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

  Ting Zhang, Bradley S. Duerstock, Juan P. Wachs · 2017 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This research addresses a critical barrier preventing blind or visually impaired (BVI) students and scientists from participating in STEM laboratory work: the inability to perceive real-time visual scientific data from instruments like light microscopes. While tactile graphics…

  blindness · STEM accessibility · sensory substitution · haptic feedback · multimodal interface

• Evaluating Haptic and Auditory Directional Guidance to Assist Blind People in Reading Printed Text Using Finger-Mounted Cameras

  Lee Stearns, Ruofei Du, Uran Oh, Yumeng Wang, Leah Findlater, Rama Chellappa, Jon E. Froehlich · 2016 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This paper presents HandSight, a finger-mounted camera system that enables blind people to read printed text by tracing their finger across lines while receiving real-time directional guidance to stay on track. The research addresses a significant gap in print accessibility:…

  blindness · wearable technology · haptic feedback · auditory feedback · OCR

• Exploring the Opportunities and Challenges with Exercise Technologies for People who are Blind or Low-Vision

  Kyle Rector, Lauren Milne, Richard E. Ladner, Batya Friedman, Julie A. Kientz · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This paper employs Value Sensitive Design (VSD) to explore opportunities and challenges for exercise technologies designed for people who are blind or low-vision. People with visual impairments are more likely to be obese, maintain inadequate fitness levels, and exercise less…

  blindness · low vision · exercise · exergames · Value Sensitive Design

• Exploring Interface Design for Independent Navigation by People with Visual Impairments

  Erin L. Brady, Daisuke Sato, Chengxiong Ruan, Hironobu Takagi, Chieko Asakawa · 2015 · ASSETS 2015: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This short poster paper from ASSETS 2015 explores how people with visual impairments respond to different navigation interface designs during in situ walking tasks. The authors observe that prior research has been limited in two ways: user studies of navigation applications are…

  visual impairment · blind navigation · non-visual navigation · wayfinding · wizard of oz

• OS-Level Surface Haptics for Touch-Screen Accessibility

  Suhong Jin, Joe Mullenbach, Craig Shultz, J. Edward Colgate, Anne Marie Piper · 2014 · Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This demonstration paper introduces an operating system-level implementation of surface haptic feedback for Android tablets, built on the TPad Tablet platform developed at Northwestern University. The TPad combines a standard 7-inch Android tablet with a variable friction haptic…

  haptic feedback · touchscreen accessibility · surface haptics · variable friction · assistive technology