Georg Regal

EdgeBraille: Braille-based text input for touch devices

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the issue of tailored text input methods for visually impaired and blind users that are needed on touchscreen devices to support their accessibility. Previous approaches still have issues related to the necessity of searching for characters, slow entry speeds or cumbersome handling. Design/methodology/approach – The authors developed a new Braille-based text input method named EdgeBraille, which allows entering six-point Braille characters by swiping one finger along the edges of the touchscreen in an arbitrary sequence. The approach was compared with the current standard method of a talking keyboard, first in a short-term lab study (14 participants) and then during two weeks of daily training (seven participants). Findings – Overall EdgeBraille was perceived well by the users and possesses favourable handling characteristics. In terms of user performance (words per minute and error rate) the authors found no significant differences between the two methods...

Dots and Letters: Accessible Braille-Based Text Input for Visually Impaired People on Mobile Touchscreen Devices

Tailored text input methods for visually impaired and blind users are needed on touchscreen devices to support their accessibility. Therefore, we de-veloped a new Braille-based text input method named EdgeBraille, which allows entering Braille characters by swiping one finger along the edges of the touchscreen. The approach was compared with the current standard method of a talking keyboard, first in a short-term lab study (14 participants) and then during two weeks of daily training (7 participants). Overall EdgeBraille was perceived well by the users. In terms of user performance we found no significant differences between the two methods. Based on the evaluation results and the feedback of our participants, we discuss advantages and disadvantages of Braille-based methods in general and EdgeBraille in particular, as well as possibilities for improvements.

Money on the move workload, usability and technology acceptance of second-screen atm-interactions

In this paper we compare one single-screen touch interaction with an automated teller machine (ATM) against two alternative second-screen ATM interactions using a smartphone. In an experimental laboratory study, those three ATM interactions were compared by means of workload (NASA-TLX), usability (SEQ, UMUX) and technology acceptance (selected TAM3-scales and additional scales for trust and security) in a randomized, controlled within-subjects design (n=24). In one smartphone ATM interaction the Personal Identification Number (PIN) was entered on the mobile phone, in the other smartphone ATM interaction the PIN was entered on the PIN-pad of the ATM. The results indicate that overall second-screen ATM interaction all interaction done on the mobile phone -- performed best.

TACTUX: a tactile user experience assessment board

We introduce TACTUX -- Tactile User Experience Assessment Board, a tool to assess user experience through tactile properties. The results of using TACTUX in a preliminary user study with 19 participants show that tactile surface properties can successfully be used for self-assessment of user experience. 14 of 19 participants stated that it was easy to express their experience by using tactile surface properties. TACTUX has advantages over classical methods of user experience self-assessments (e.g. questionnaires): It can be used by a broad range of user groups and stimulates participants to talk about their experience when using interactive systems.

Mobile location-based games to support orientation & mobility training for visually impaired students

Orientation and Mobility (O&M) training is an important aspect in the education of visually impaired students. In this work we present a scavenger hunt-like location-based game to support O&M training. In two comparative studies with blind and partially sighted students and interviews with teachers we investigate if a mobile game played in the real world is a suitable approach to support O&M training and if a mobile location-based O&M training game is preferred over a game played in a virtual world. Our results show that a mobile location-based game is a fruitful approach to support O&M training for visually impaired students, and that a mobile location based game is preferred over playing in a virtual world. Based on the gathered insights we discuss implications for using mobile location-based games in O&M training.

Privacy in the smart grid: end-user concerns and requirements

Mobile interfaces will be central in connecting end-users to the smart grid and enabling their active participation. Services and features supporting this participation do, however, rely on high-frequency collection and transmission of energy usage data by smart meters which is privacy-sensitive. The successful communication of privacy to end-users via consumer interfaces will therefore be crucial to ensure smart meter acceptance and consequently enable participation. Current understanding of user privacy concerns in this context is not very differentiated, and user privacy requirements have received little attention. A preliminary user questionnaire study was conducted to gain a more detailed understanding of the differing perceptions of various privacy risks and the relative importance of different privacy-ensuring measures. The results underline the significance of open communication, restraint in data collection and usage, user control, transparency, communication of security measures, and a good customer relationship.

Persuasive Information Security: Techniques to Help Employees Protect Organizational Information Security

Digital information is an important corporate asset. Organizations typically devise policies and guidelines to help employees protect the security of such information. Complying with these rules can often be confusing and difficult and may obstruct the task at hand, leading employees to circumvent or ignore policies. Commercial technology and training programs to mitigate this issue suffer from various shortcomings. To address these shortcomings, we designed six persuasive features: Security Points, Security Quiz, Challenges, Statistics, Personalization, and Risk Communication. A design probe that implemented the features sheds light on how persuasive security features could influence intentions to follow secure work practices. We apply the findings to offer suggestions for further enhancing the six persuasive features.

Insights into Internet Privacy for Visually Impaired and Blind People

Tracking blockers protect from and inform about hidden trackers and services that collect data in the background while the user is surfing the web. However, existing tracking blockers provide information and feedback visually and thus are barely accessible for visually impaired and blind users. In this paper we present insights about privacy concerns of visually impaired Internet users. Moreover we present feedback strategies and guidelines for an accessible tracking blocker developed in a user centered design process. The underlying feedback principles and guidelines can be used for the design of Privacy Enhancing Technology in other domains, and therefore serve as reference for designers and developers.

TalkingCards: Using Tactile NFC Cards for Accessible Brainstorming

Few accessible methods to support brainstorming sessions for blind and visually impaired users exist. We present an approach consisting of a smartphone application and tangible near field communication (NFC) cards enhanced with an additional layer by using different tactile materials. With the smartphone application blind and visually impaired users can write information, like ideas in brainstorming sessions, on NFC cards using speech recognition or voice recording. Text stored on the cards can also be read out loud with the application by using text to speech synthesis. The approach was developed based on a user centered design process with strong participation of blind and visually impaired users. It is low cost, lightweight and easily transportable. Evaluation results show that the approach is fun, easy to use and appreciated by the users. It can be used by blind and visually impaired people for tasks which require spatial arrangement of information, thus supporting accessible brainstorming sessions.

Technology Experience Research: A Framework for Experience Oriented Technology Development

The optimization as well as exploitation of various aspects of user experience is crucial for future technological innovation and adoption. As a consequence of individualization, industrialization and lifestyle orientation, user experience is becoming more and more a major paradigm in the industry as well as in research & technology organizations. This applies at the level of products (goods, services), at the level of (public) technical infrastructures as well as on the level of human oriented innovation cultures and approaches. Based on several years of experience in applied HCI research the Business Unit Technology Experience within the Innovation Systems Department at the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) has been established as a horizontal unit to bridge between innovation in technological infrastructures and the diverse needs of users, costumers or diverse infrastructure contexts. Providing different viewpoints of technology experience and applied HCI thinking is a vehicle to facilitate improved levels of experiential quality.