TY - GEN
T1 - An empirical investigation of the situationally-induced impairments experienced by blind mobile device users
AU - Abdolrahmani, Ali
AU - Kuber, Ravi
AU - Hurst, Amy
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 ACM.
PY - 2016/4/11
Y1 - 2016/4/11
N2 - In this paper, we describe a study specifically focusing on the situationally-induced impairments and disabilities (SIIDs) which individuals who are blind encounter when interacting with mobile devices. We conducted semi-structured interviews with eight legally-blind participants, and presented them with three scenarios to inspire discussion relating to SIIDs. Nine main themes emerged from analysis of the participant interviews, including the challenges faced when using a mobile device one-handed while using a cane to detect obstacles along the intended path, the impact of using a mobile device under inhospitable conditions, and concerns associated with using a mobile device in environments where privacy and safety may be compromised (e.g. when using public transport). These were found to reduce the quality of the subjective interaction experience, and in some cases limiting use of mobile technologies in public venues. Insights from our research can be used to guide the design of future mobile interfaces to better meet the needs of users whose needs are often excluded from the design process.
AB - In this paper, we describe a study specifically focusing on the situationally-induced impairments and disabilities (SIIDs) which individuals who are blind encounter when interacting with mobile devices. We conducted semi-structured interviews with eight legally-blind participants, and presented them with three scenarios to inspire discussion relating to SIIDs. Nine main themes emerged from analysis of the participant interviews, including the challenges faced when using a mobile device one-handed while using a cane to detect obstacles along the intended path, the impact of using a mobile device under inhospitable conditions, and concerns associated with using a mobile device in environments where privacy and safety may be compromised (e.g. when using public transport). These were found to reduce the quality of the subjective interaction experience, and in some cases limiting use of mobile technologies in public venues. Insights from our research can be used to guide the design of future mobile interfaces to better meet the needs of users whose needs are often excluded from the design process.
KW - Accessibility
KW - Blind
KW - Mobile
KW - Mobile screen readers
KW - Situational impairments
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84983509256&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84983509256&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1145/2899475.2899482
DO - 10.1145/2899475.2899482
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84983509256
T3 - W4A 2016 - 13th Web for All Conference
BT - W4A 2016 - 13th Web for All Conference
PB - Association for Computing Machinery, Inc
T2 - 13th Web for All Conference, W4A 2016
Y2 - 11 April 2016 through 13 April 2016
ER -