Section: New Results

Accessible Interactive Audio-Tactile Drawings

Participants: Lauren Thevin, Anke Brock, Martin Hachet

External collaborators: CNRS, Univesité Paul Sabatier, ENAC

Interactive tactile graphics have shown a true potential for people with visual impairments, for instance for acquiring spatial knowledge. Until today, however, they are not well adopted in real-life settings (e.g. special education schools). One obstacle consists in the creation of these media, which requires specific skills, such as the use of vector-graphic software for drawing and inserting interactive zones, which is challenging for stakeholders (social workers, teachers, families of people with visual impairments, etc.). We explored how a Spatial Augmented Reality approach can enhance the creation of interactive tactile graphics by sighted users. We developed the system using a participatory design method. A user study showed that the augmented reality device allowed stakeholders (N=28) to create interactive tactile graphics more efficiently than with a regular vector-drawing software (baseline), independently of their technical background. This work illustrated in Figure 6 is described in [29].

Following the same approach, we are currently exploring how physical board games can be moved into accessible ones for people with visual impairments.

Figure 6. Combining touch and audio for accessible drawings at school.