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Challenges, Tensions, and Opportunities in Designing App-Based Orientation and Mobility Tools for Blind and Visually Impaired Students

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HCI International 2023 – Late Breaking Papers (HCII 2023)

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Abstract

Individuals who are blind and/or visually impaired (BVI) face several challenges related to orientation and mobility (O&M), including orienting to new environments, finding and navigating routes, effectively using mobility aids, identifying landmarks, and obstacle avoidance, to name a few. To develop independent travel skills, BVI students often receive instruction from O&M specialists. O&M instruction includes development of spatial awareness, understanding cardinal direction, knowledge of environments, leveraging senses (i.e., sound, touch, smell), protective techniques, and learning to navigate routes. Assistive technologies are also introduced to provide additional O&M support and to foster effective technology adoption and use. This paper chronicles a task-based user experience study that engaged students from six schools for BVI students with GoodMaps Explore, a smartphone navigation app that provides turn-by-turn navigational support. The study uncovered challenges and opportunities for apps designed to support BVI users, particularly O&M teachers and students.

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Correspondence to Jennifer Palilonis .

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Palilonis, J., Cambron, C., Hakim, M. (2023). Challenges, Tensions, and Opportunities in Designing App-Based Orientation and Mobility Tools for Blind and Visually Impaired Students. In: Gao, Q., Zhou, J., Duffy, V.G., Antona, M., Stephanidis, C. (eds) HCI International 2023 – Late Breaking Papers. HCII 2023. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14055. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-48041-6_25

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-48041-6_25

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