Improving accessibility of mobile devices with EasyWrite

Abstract

This paper describes the development process of EasyWrite, a text-entry method for mobile devices that allows people with hand coordination problems to use small computer devices such as smartphones, tablet PCs, or other touchscreen machines. This text-entry method aims at improving typing accuracy and reducing frustration of people affected by this motor disability when using small devices. EasyWrite was developed following an iterative and user-centred process. Starting from requirements elicited from observing potential users with mild and moderate motor disabilities and information provided by a literature review, a low-fidelity prototype was built and evaluated. This early prototype was refined throughout several design and evaluation iterations. Its current state is a functional prototype that works on Android phones. The functional prototype usability was evaluated through user tests. The result of this process is a small virtual keyboard for mobile devices that has less and bigger keys as compared to other onscreen keyboards. The concept of EasyWrite is largely based on the notion of scanning group systems, but it allows users to navigate directly through groups and subgroups of characters by tapping on directional keys in order to find the desired character rather than waiting for a visual cursor to advance through the options, one at a time, at a specific time rate. Though at its current stage the method proposed by EasyWrite shows some limitations, it appears to be appropriate for users with moderate motor disabilities. For this group of people, user test results indicate that EasyWrite could be a more adequate text-entry method than the one provided by standard keyboards, both physical and onscreen, commonly found in mobile devices.