Ian Feldberg [feldberg@blaze.cs.jhu.edu]
Russell Taylor [rht@cs.jhu.edu]
Robert Massof [rmassof@lions.med.jhu.edu]
Computer Science Department, Johns Hopkins University
Computer Science Department, Johns Hopkins University
Lions Vision Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical School
In recent years, a number of approaches have been tried to improve access to graphical user interfaces for blind and low-vision users. At JHU, we believe that the ultimate solution will compensate for the loss of visual feedback by presenting data to other sensorial channels. We are demonstrating the feasibility of this approach with three separate projects. First, we have prototyped a simple haptical user interface (HUI) using an existing haptic device controlled with a pentium processor. Second, we have outlined a project that will research, design and deliver an inexpensive haptic device to the blind and low-vision community. Finally, we are designing our haptic screen-readers to be part of a larger multimodal framework that will allow information to be displayed visually, aurally and/or haptically.