Exploratory Strategies and Procedures to Obtain Non-Visual Overviews Using TableVis

TableVis was developed to support computer users who are blind or visually impaired in tasks that involve obtaining quick overviews of tabular data sets. Previous work has covered the evaluation of this interface and its associated techniques of interactive data sonification and support exploratory processes. This paper examines the exploratory strategies and procedures employed by the users. A three-stage process for completing the exploratory task is described, and a discussion about the strategies and procedures that were observed is offered. Possible best practices and the most common issues are identified, which form the basis for the next steps to be taken in this line of research.