A user interface for the visual-impairment

Abstract

This paper presents a user interface for the visual-impaired person to operate a computer by using the Braille input method. This system focuses on embedding the visual-impaired enabling functions into the desktop operating environment for the visual impairment. When the user inputs text by the presented Braille input method, our system can simultaneously display the context on the tactile Braille reading device, the computer screen with printed text, and the audio device with voice. Moreover, the system can also detect printed text, which was updated by another application program, on the screen and exports this new context to the tactile reading device and audio device to remind the visual-impaired operator of this event. The major contribution of this paper is to enable the visual-impaired person to use their proficient Braille input method to operate the computer without learning a new input method. The performance of the presented system has been evaluated by blind users with encouraging results.