Investigating the usability of a screen reader and mental models of blind users in the Windows environment.

Abstract

The study explored blind users' mental models and strategies in coping with the Windows environment and investigated the relationship between users' mental models and usability problems they face when using a screen reader. The study found that blind users possess a functional or structural mental model or a combination thereof. Blind users also have a rich and highly procedural strategy for coping with a new Windows environment and application. Users' established mental models developed from using a familiar screen reader were found to contribute to problems in using a new screen reader.