Auditory navigation in hyperspace: design and evaluation of a non-visual hypermedia system for blind users

Author(s): Petrie, H., ONeill, A. M., McNally, P.

Journal/Book: Behav Inform Technol. 1999; 18: One Gunpowder Square, London EC4a 3de, England. Taylor & Francis Ltd. 18-26.

Abstract: This paper presents the design and evaluation of a hypermedia system for blind users, making use of a nonvisual interface? non-speech sounds, three input devices, and a 37 node hypermedia module. The important components of an effective auditory interface are discussed, together with the design of the auditory interface to hypermedia material. The evaluation, which was conducted over several weeks and used a range of complementary objective and subjective measures to assess users' performance and preferences, is described. The findings from the evaluation with nine visually impaired student participants are presented. The results from this research can be applied to the design and evaluation of other non-visual hypermedia systems, such as auditory World Wide Web (WWW) browsers and digital talking books.

Note: Article Morley S, Univ Hertfordshire, Dept Psychol, Sensory Disabilities Res Unit, Hatfield AL10 9AB, Herts, ENGLAND

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