Utilizing gestures to enable visually impaired for computer interaction

Abstract

Despite active research in input device development, the visually impaired community still find difficulty in interacting with computers. Braille and other conventional methods have limitations while inputting data to the computer due to their vision loss. Gesture-based interaction can offer them a new vista of computer interaction. However, one needs to consider their performance and preference towards hand gesture. So, a gesture elicitation study is done with 25 visually impaired users. A quantitative rating analysis is performed with them, and an optimal set of gestures is obtained. Further, a dactylology is proposed using which visually impaired users can interact with computers. A recognition module is also presented to recognise the dactylology symbols.