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Re: Improving the Web surfing experience for blind and partially

for

From: David R. Stong
Date: Apr 6, 2004 6:38AM

Abby wrote:

>I am a student at Bradford University studying internet computing. I
>had an idea for a HCI project that involves designing a user
>interface to help improve the web-user experience for partially
>sighted or blind users:
>I wanted to develop a portable pad, that would act in much the same
>way as a mouse, ie it would emulate a cursor on the screen. So in
>effect it would act like a touch screen but with a tool that could
>be detected by touch and moved around. My feeling was that its
>position both on the screen and the pad could be easily detected
>during periods of periodic use.
>What do you think of the concept?


Abby, I'm a visual designer at Penn State. Primarily I'm a designer
of interfaces, with a background in Web accessibility. I like your
idea, but I think it may have limited, though very specific
application.

I think in pictures. When I work, I'm completely absorbed in a
graphic, space oriented, "conceptual" world. Words and language are
things that slow me down; if someone enters my office while I'm
working and asks a question, often times it takes a moment for me to
start to think in words so that I respond. You can try this yourself
by drawing a picture while telling a story- as you get more involved
with the rendering, words fail. What would be the experience of
someone who thinks this way if they lost their vision? or if born
blind, they genetically thought like a visual artist?

Your concept would give a tactile sense of space. That would be a
tough paradigm to sell- almost a Mac vs. PS type of difference. If
you need it, you'd appreciate it.
There would be lots of bugs to work out, certainly; but worth
investigation. Talk to people in visual design.



--
David R. Stong
Microcomputer Information Specialist (Graphic Designer),
Education Technology Services, a unit of
Teaching and Learning with Technology
Information Technology Services
The Pennsylvania State University
Phone 8148651843

212 Rider Building II
227 W Beaver Avenue
State College, PA 16801-4819

Working for Universal Design: http://tlt.its.psu.edu/suggestions/accessibility

Download Penn State's visual identity marks:
http://www.personal.psu.edu/drs18/mark.html


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