Evaluating Haptic Technology in Accessibility of Digital Audio Workstations for Visually Impaired Creatives

Abstract

This research suggests new ways of making interaction with Digital Audio Workstations more accessible for musicians with visual impairments. Accessible tools such as screen reader are often unable to support users within the music production environment. Haptic technologies have been proposed as solutions but are often generic and not address the needs of the individual. A series of experiments is being suggested to examine the possibilities of mapping haptic feedback to audio effects parameters. Sequentially, the use of machine learning is being suggested in order enable automated mapping and expand accessibility to the individual. The expected results will provide visually impaired musicians with a new way of producing music but also will provide academic research on material and technologies that can be used for future accessibility tools.