PhD Theses
Enhancing Quality of Life for People who are Blind or Low Vision Using Computing Technology
I present research in enhancing exercise and art exploration for people who are blind or low vision.
Enhancing Blind People’s Information Scanning with Concurrent Speech
Abstract: Blind people rely mostly on the auditory feedback of screen readers to consume digital information. Efficiency is a problem especially in situations where relevant information must be recognized among large amounts of irrelevant information. Sighted people use scanning as a strategy to achieve this goal, by glancing at all content expecting to identify information of interest to be subsequently analyzed with further care. In contrast, screen readers rely on a sequential auditory channel that …
Acquisition of Spatial Environmental Information from Tactile Displays
Abstract: It is still recognized as a challenge task while blind and visually impaired people travel outdoor independently, even if there are a number of assistive mobility aids available. In addition to building universal facilities in urban and rural environments for them, it is essential to develop novel mobility assistive technologies and systems to satisfy their increasing demands for mobility. To investigate those demands, an international survey with 106 blind and visually impaired people from …
Interactive Maps for Visually Impaired People: Design, Usability and Spatial Cognition
This thesis demonstrates the importance of interactive maps for visually impaired people and their spatial cognition.
User-Sensitive Mobile Interfaces: Accounting for Individual Differences amongst the Blind
We explore individual differences among blind people and assess how they are related with mobile interface demands, both at low (e.g. performing an on-screen gesture) and high level (text-entry) tasks.
Developing HCI Technology to Aid in Communication Research for Individuals with Impairments: A Language and Linguistic Perspective
This work examines how HCI and CS techniques can impact language development , empathy and the role communication impairment has on linguistic patterns and conversation quality.
Optimizing Video Presentations for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Participants in Mainstream Classrooms
This dissertation explores a consumer device-driven approach that is centered on multiple view perspectives (MVP)
Using Data About Real World Pointing Performance to Improve Computer Access with Automatic Assessment
We have studied real world pointing use from older adults and individuals with motor impairments and developed novel techniques to analyze their performance.
AWA, Methodological Framework in the Accessibility Domain for Web Application Development
As a proposed solution to this situation, from the engineering perspective, the methodological support AWA (Accessibility for Web Applications) is presented in this thesis.
Inclusive User Modelling
I have also addressed the shortcomings of existing HCI models and hope to develop a system that will be easier to use than the existing models and support both able-bodied and disabled users.