Technology for Visually-Impaired: Identifying Flaws in Assistive Courseware

Abstract

Technologies for visual-impaired people have been widely developed, covering hardware and software. In terms of software, the technology is divided into infrastructure and content. Designing appropriate content technology is very important for the visually-impaired people to support their special constraints. Such content technology, which is called assistive courseware for visually-impaired (AC4VI) has to strategize appropriate elements for efficient information accessibility, navigationability, and pleasurability. This study develops such content technology, based on a systematically and scientifically developed model. Having developed the content technology, it was tested with the real subjects, children of Year 1 in visually-impaired curriculum. To accommodate the needs of the children, this study utilizes qualitative approach. Prior to running the actual testing, a pilot test has been conducted to ensure the actual testing could run smoothly. The initial round of the pilot test reveled that there were problems in terms of the feasibility of the prototype and data collection method. Therefore, to overcome the flaws, the second pilot test was carried out. The test was segmented into four section: (i) briefing, (ii) observation, (iii) interview, and (iv) closing. In the end, it was found that such content technology has to be experienced individually. Also, semi-structured interview has to be conducted individually. The AC4VI, as a content technology for visually-impaired is as important as the infrastructure.