Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Faculty
Faculty of Computing, Health and Science
School
School of Computer and Information Science
RAS ID
5091
Abstract
People with some residual vision though still classified as blind may be able to read on screen patterns presented via a computer program whereby such a pattern can represent a textual character and a presentation of sequences of such patterns can represent words. These patterns can be adjusted to utilize the user’s remaining vision capacity. Previous research has shown that volunteers who where legally classified as blind could read simple sentences via such a system. This system is known as the Dynamic Pattern System (DPS) and is a test bed for research. Although this research involved a single pattern represented a single character the DPS system can also use a pattern to represent a word, or conversely, a sequence of patterns to represent a character. A modified DPS could become a ‘front-end’ to conventional IT applications software converting conventional text to and from DPS patterns. The original research into DPS was carried out using mainly blind and not deaf-blind volunteers yet DPS may have more application to the deaf-blind due to the wide availability of screen readers. Enhancing access to electronic media and communications for the blind and deaf-blind users has the potential to result in better quality of life outcomes and potentially enhance workforce participation. The DPS could possibly help, via enhanced equipment provision to increase equity of access for blind or blind-deaf to enable them to more readily access and interact with information. As such the DPS provides a possibility to transforming user’s lives via technology. This could assist in the retention of employees and to more fully align to antidiscrimination requirements.
Comments
Veal, D. (2007). A GUI for the Deaf-Blind: An additional concepts paper. In Proceedings of the 3rd Annual Transforming Information & Learning Conference: T²: Transformations and Technology. Perth, Australia: Edith Cowan University.