NavTap: a Long Term Study with Excluded Blind Users

Tiago Guerreiro, Hugo Nicolau, Joaquim Jorge and Daniel Gonçalves

Eleventh International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2009)
Pittsburgh, PA, USA, October 26-28, 2009

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Abstract

NavTap is a navigational method that enables blind users to input text in a mobile device by reducing the associated cognitive load. In this paper, we present studies that go beyond a laboratorial setting, exploring the methods' effectiveness and learnability as well as its influence in the users' daily lives. Eight blind users participated in the prototype's design (3 weeks) while five took part in the studies along 16 more weeks. All were unable to input text before. Results gathered in controlled weekly sessions and real life interaction logs enabled us to better understand NavTap's advantages and limitations. The method revealed itself as easy to learn and improve, as the users were able to fully control their mobile devices in the first contact within a real life scenario. The users' individual profiles play an important role determining their evolution and, even less capable users (with age-induced impairments or cognitive difficulties), were able to perform the required tasks, both in and out of the laboratory, with continuous improvements. NavTap dramatically changed the users' relation with mobile devices and improved their social interaction capabilities.