Caterina Senette

Making Wikipedia editing easier for the blind

A key feature of Web 2.0 is the possibility of sharing, creating and editing on-line content. This approach is increasingly used in learning environments to favor interaction and cooperation among students. These functions should be accessible as well as easy to use for all participants. Unfortunately accessibility and usability issues still exist for Web 2.0-based applications. For instance, Wikipedia presents many difficulties for the blind. In this paper we discuss a possible solution for simplifying the Wikipedia editing page when interacting via screen reader. Building an editing interface that conforms to W3C ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) recommendations would overcome accessibility and usability problems that prevent blind users from actively contributing to Wikipedia.

Playing with geometry: a Multimodal Android App for Blind Children

Geometry is a traditionally difficult subject to teach to visually impaired subjects. This paper investigates tools to help blind children learn geometry. An accessible vibro-tactile-based android application has been designed to allow children to make freehand drawings and play with geometry, recognizing common geometric shapes or topological configurations. An initial usability test of the application, performed by a blind researcher, has revealed some limitations of the proposed approach that could soon be overcome thanks to current technological innovation in the mobile world.

ABCD SW: autistic behavior & computer-based didactic software

In this demo we show an open source software (SW) program designed to facilitate the execution of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) intervention with low-functioning autistic children. The SW is based on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Discrete Trial Training (DTT). The SW automatically records data extractable from the session (times, success/error, etc.), while the tutor inserts subjective data such as type and level of prompt provided to a child, along with comments. The SW adapts the trial to the childs abilities (receptive/verbal) to make it accessible (comprehensible and operable). To offer the child a simple and accessible interaction environment, the tutor and child user interfaces are kept separate and offered on mobile devices. Using a laptop, the tutor sets the exercise that appears on the childs tablet. Synchronization between devices offers the tutor a real-time summary of actions performed by child, freeing up his/her cognitive resources needed to memorize this information and possibly favoring the decision-making process for the ABA intervention.

Designing a mobile application to record ABA data

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific method for modelling human behavior, successfully applied in the context of educating autistic subjects. ABAs scientific approach relies on recording measurable data derived from the execution of structured programs. In this paper we describe an application designed to support the work of ABA tutors with autistic subjects. Specifically, we describe an Android application for gathering data from ABA sessions with a patient and sharing information among his/her ABA team. Tablets allow mobility and ease of interaction, enabling efficient data collection and processing, and automating tasks previously carried out by recording notes on paper. However, reduced screen size poses challenges for user interface design.

A portable application for supporting ABA intervention

Purpose – Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific method for modelling human behavior, successfully applied in the context of Autism. Recording and sharing measurable data (on subjects’ performance) between caregivers guarantees consistency of learning programs and allows monitoring the learning enhancements. Data are usually recorded on paper, which requires considerable effort and is subject to error. The purpose of this paper is to describe a portable application developed to support ABA tutors in their work with autistic subjects. It allows gathering data from ABA sessions, giving tutors rapid access to information, also in graphical formats.Design/methodology/approach – The tool was designed via participatory design. Various ABA team members were involved, in order to make the application respond perfectly to their needs. The approach aims to ensure maximum usability, while minimizing errors and ambient interference.Findings – The use of mobile devices (i.e. tablets or smartphones) allows mob...

Enhancing Wikipedia Editing with WAI-ARIA

Nowadays Web 2.0 applications allow anyone to create, share and edit on-line content, but accessibility and usability issues still exist. For instance, Wikipedia presents many difficulties for blind users, especially when they want to write or edit articles. In a previous stage of our study we proposed and discussed how to apply the W3C ARIA suite to simplify the Wikipedia editing page when interacting via screen reader. In this paper we present the results of a user test involving totally blind end-users as they interacted with both the original and the modified Wikipedia editing pages. Specifically, the purpose of the test was to compare the editing and formatting process for original and ARIA-implemented Wikipedia user interfaces, and to evaluate the improvements.

Teaching Low-Functioning Autistic Children: ABCD SW

Applied Behavior Analysis ABA is highly effective for teaching subjects with autism. We discuss the design and development of a free open-source customizable software to support ABA intervention in low-functioning children with autism. The software automates the trial setting while enabling the gathering of the childrens performance data to monitor learning. The software relies on a Web architecture: using a laptop, the tutor defines the exercises dynamically activated on the childs tablet. Synchronization between these two devices occurs via an Internet connection, obtaining and inserting data through the database. A real-time summary of the actions performed by the child is available on the tutors device, simplifying decisions about the intervention. In order to make the trial accessible to any child, the software adapts the visual prompt to the childs abilities, i.e., receptive/verbal, using labels in addition to images. A pilot test with several children confirmed the usability of the software.

Electronic commerce in the dark

The widespread diffusion of electronic commerce offers a great opportunity for blind people. We describe the results of an electronic survey carried out with 22 blind and 22 sighted users in order to understand the difficulties and obstacles they experience shopping on-line, and solicit their expectations and suggestions for making the interaction simpler and more satisfying. Results show that blind users shop on-line much less than their sighted counterparts, since they encounter more difficulties not only when making a purchase, but even in the navigation phase preceding the commercial transaction. Complex layouts and unstructured content can prevent an e-transaction from being successfully completed. Furthermore, security, privacy and trustiness, common concerns for all consumers, also impact on the fear of buying via Internet for the visually impaired. Poor usability leads to a potential loss of revenue for online companies and a lost opportunity to increase a blind persons independence. Providing simpler, more understandable UIs would benefit all users and fuel the expansion of electronic commerce.

ICT to Support Dental Care of Children with Autism: An Exploratory Study.

The dental health of children with autism presents many challenges, since they usually perceive sensory experiences differently and have problems accepting unknown social contexts. In a dental care setting, there are many strong sound-visual stimulations that are not experienced in any other setting. This usually upsets a patient with autism, often forcing dentists to administer chemical sedation in order to carry out dental work. Recently, many technology-enhanced systems and apps have been proposed to help people with autism adapt and cope with distressing situations. However, few studies have attempted to exploit ICT to simplify dental care in people with autism. This study explores the potential of personalized digital tools to help children with autism become familiar with dental care procedures and environments and to learn how to perform proper oral hygiene at home. To this aim, we carried out a 3-month exploratory study involving a multidisciplinary team of researchers, developers, dentists, psychologist, parents and ten children with autism observed under natural conditions during their first dental care cycle. The results appear to confirm the potential of technology for reducing anxiety in professional settings, increasing children’s wellbeing and safety. The main contribution of this paper is the detailed account of this exploratory study and the discussion of the results obtained. Moreover, we outline the user requirements of an accessible and customizable multimodal platform to help dentists and families facilitate ADS children’s dental care according to the methodology described here.

An Interactive Cognitive-Motor Training System for Children with Intellectual Disability.

It is increasingly evident that engaging in regular physical activity is important for people’s health and well-being. However, physical training is still a big challenge for individuals with cognitive disabilities since it is difficult to motivate them and provide them with sustained pleasant training experiences over time. Active Video Games and Exergames may help achieve this, especially in the younger population. This paper describes an accessible Interactive Cognitive-Motor Training system (ICMT) created to encourage physical activity in children with cognitive disabilities by combining cognitive and gross motor training. The system was developed at a low cost, on top of an open source rhythm game, which has built-in support for dance pads and large video screens. The application employs user profiling in order to deliver personalized training. Performance data are recorded for further analysis to verify the training’s efficacy and if needed, to tune the intervention. A pilot study showed the effectiveness of the proposed system, which by taking advantage of the positive effects of playing videogames, appears to encourage cognitively impaired people’s physical activity.