Developing Dynamic Audio Navigation UIs to Pinpoint Elements in Tactile Graphics

Access to complex graphical information is essential when connecting blind and visually impaired (BVI) people with the world. Tactile graphics readers enable access data through audio-tactile user interfaces (UIs), but these have yet mature. A challenging task for locating specific elements–areas in detailed tactile graphics. To this end, we developed three audio navigation UIs that dynamically guide user’s hand a position using feedback. One based on submarine sonar sounds, another relies target’s coordinate plan x y-axis, last uses direct voice instructions. The were implemented Tactonom Reader device, new graphic reader enhances swell paper pinpointed explanations. evaluate effectiveness of different dynamic UIs, conducted within-subject usability test involved 13 BVI participants. Beyond comparing observed recorded interaction participants UI further investigate their behavioral patterns during interaction. We required move straight direction more likely provoke frustration often perceived as people. analysis revealed voice-based guides participant fastest target does not require prior training. This suggests strategy promising approach designing an accessible interface blind.