Philippe Truillet

Usage of multimodal maps for blind people: why and how

Multimodal interactive maps are a solution for providing the blind with access to geographic information. Current projects use a tactile map set down on a monotouch display with additional sound output. In our current project we investigated the usage of multitouch displays for this purpose. In this paper, we outline our requirements concerning the appropriate multitouch tactile device and we present a first prototype. We conclude with future working propositions.

Design and user satisfaction of interactive maps for visually impaired people

Multimodal interactive maps are a solution for presenting spatial information to visually impaired people. In this paper, we present an interactive multimodal map prototype that is based on a tactile paper map, a multi-touch screen and audio output. We first describe the different steps for designing an interactive map: drawing and printing the tactile paper map, choice of multi-touch technology, interaction technologies and the software architecture. Then we describe the method used to assess user satisfaction. We provide data showing that an interactive map --- although based on a unique, elementary, double tap interaction --- has been met with a high level of user satisfaction. Interestingly, satisfaction is independent of a users age, previous visual experience or Braille experience. This prototype will be used as a platform to design advanced interactions for spatial learning.

Méthodes et outils de conception participative avec des utilisateurs non-voyants

Participatory Design is a process for the design of interactive systems integrating the user in all design phases. However it is based on the assumption that users are in possess of their full physical capabilities, in particular the visual sense, and thus is for the most part not adapted for working with visually impaired people. In this article we present an approach for using participatory design when working with blind people. We start with an analysis of the existing methods, in which we discuss their limits concerning accessibility for the blind, and the peculiarities of blind users. Afterwards we present how we have adapted the classical design methods during our design process and we show the results of our project. We conclude with some recommendations and future working propositions.

Kin'touch: understanding how visually impaired people explore tactile maps

Tactile or interactive maps are largely used as an orientation aid for visually impaired people. Yet, little is known about haptic exploration strategies and their influence on the resultant cognitive mapping. We have designed a prototype with the potential to automatically analyze different users exploration strategies. This prototype integrates data from the MS Kinect camera and a multi-touch table. It registers location of hands and digits on a tactile map. Results of preliminary studies show that this approach is promising.

Making Gestural Interaction Accessible to Visually Impaired People

As touch screens become widely spread, making them more accessible to visually impaired people is an important task. Touch displays possess a poor accessibility for visually impaired people. One possibility to make them more accessible without sight is through gestural interaction. Yet, there are still few studies on using gestural interaction for visually impaired people. In this paper we present a comprehensive summary of existing projects investigating accessible gestural interaction. We also highlight the limits of current approaches and propose future working directions. Then, we present the design of an interactive map prototype that includes both a raised-line map overlay and gestural interaction for accessing different types of information (e.g., opening hours, distances). Preliminary results of our project show that basic gestural interaction techniques can be successfully used in interactive maps for visually impaired people.

“DIY” Prototyping of Teaching Materials for Visually Impaired Children: Usage and Satisfaction of Professionals

Professionals working with visually impaired children (i.e. specialist teachers and educators, Orientation and Mobility trainers, psychologists, etc.) have to create their own teaching materials. Indeed, only few adapted materials exist, and do not fully meet their needs. Thus, rapid prototyping tools and methods could help them to design and make materials adapted to teaching to visually impaired students. In this study, we first designed a blog enabling professionals to create their own teaching materials. Then, we set up a challenge with five teams including one professional of visual impairment and students in computer science. The aim of each team was to design and make a teaching material, based on handcrafting, 3D printing tools and cheap micro-controllers, fitting the needs of the professional. After they have used their material with visually impaired students, we interviewed the professionals in order to evaluate usage and satisfaction. The professionals reported that the materials were easy to make, and valuable for teaching to visually impaired students. They also reported that DIY prototyping, based on 3D printing and cheap microcontrollers, enables them to create their own teaching materials, and hence accurately meet unanswered needs. Importantly, they would advise their colleagues to use this method and new tools. However, they consider that they would need assistance to create new materials on their own.

Conception d'un outil de contrôle et de communication pour personnes tétraplégiques

In this paper, we present a support system for quadriplegics. To carry out this project, we conducted a participatory approach with patients and therapists. From various prototypes, we have defined a modular and highly reconfigurable architecture in order to accommodate the needs and abilities of patients to acquire usage data for the practitioners.n This system is being deployed in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation service at CHU of Toulouse.

Comparing Mixed Interactive Systems for Navigating 3D Environments in Museums

This work aims at developing appropriate Mixed Interaction Systems (MIS) for navigating 3D environments in a science centre context. Due to the wide range and multi-disciplinary design aspects to consider in this context and the lack of expertise in terms of MIS and public context evaluation, designing and evaluating MIS is a complex task. Based on an integrated development process, which combines a design model and a user-testing, this paper presents the outcomes of the comparison of two MIS in terms of performance and satisfaction.

A Reproducible Experiment Towards the Accessibility of a Geographical Map

The “Mappa Mundi d’Albi” is an eighth-century map, registered in the Unesco‘s World heritage list in 2015. Difficult to understand even visually, it requires explanation and contextualization. In accordance with the legislation regarding the accessibility of cultural works, and to allow its understanding, we have implemented various devices, via digital technology, to make it accessible to as many people as possible. Different criteria of accessibility and perception of sensory modalities have been studied. After an analysis of the already existing accessibility design we have designed and evaluated different prototypes of enhanced digital and tangible maps. These prototypes have been put in place through different partnerships and based on a goal of reproducibility at low cost. The other objective was, taking into account the “diy” culture of fablabs, the work in collaboration for teachers specialized in accessibility or not and non-computer scientists.

Influence of the presentation of words for dyslexic readers

In this article, we present an experiment to measuring the effect of three ways of presenting words on reading performance. Twelve non- dyslexic subjects and eight dyslexic subjects participated in this experiment. We have shown that a form of presentation of words, among the three, brought better reading results for dyslexic subjects.