1,720,972 research outputs found
Chemical and spectroscopic analysis of caffeic acid transformation following the interaction with Fe(III) trapped in a Ca-polygalacturonate network
No full textTactile geographic map exploration by blind people
No full textThis prototype allows people with visual disabilities to explore tactile maps on touchscreen devices. The data source is an SVG file, freely available from the OSM (Open Street Map) portal and opportunely adapted to the needs of the project. The prototype consists of a tactile paper map made by a heat embosser (Minolta) and superimposed on a portable touchscreen device (Android Tablet) running an application software that contains all the map's data and responds to user interaction by communicating to them all the information, previously converted into digital format. Feedback to the user is converted into different formats, depending on the type of information (multimodality). For instance, a TTS (Text To Speech) engine is used to announce the name of each route, and different sounds and vibratory feedback are provided to differentiate stations, parks, etc. Compared to the systems described in literature, our prototype could guarantee greater portability, reducing the need for dedicated devices. Unfortunately, map production is still handmade and this limits the number of maps that can be realized
Playing with geometry: a multimodal Android App for blind children
No full textGeometry is a traditionally difficult subject to teach to visually impaired subjects. This paper investigates tools to help blind children learn geometry. An accessible vibro-tactile-based android application has been designed to allow children to make freehand drawings and play with geometry, recognizing common geometric shapes or topological configurations. An initial usability test of the application, performed by a blind researcher, has revealed some limitations of the proposed approach that could soon be overcome thanks to current technological innovation in the mobile world
Making Wikipedia editing easier for the blind
No full textA key feature of Web 2.0 is the possibility of sharing, creating and editing on-line content. This approach is increasingly used in learning environments to favor interaction and cooperation among students. These functions should be accessible as well as easy to use for all participants. Unfortunately accessibility and usability issues still exist for Web 2.0-based applications. For instance, Wikipedia presents many difficulties for the blind. In this paper we discuss a possible solution for simplifying the Wikipedia editing page when interacting via screen reader. Building an editing interface that conforms to W3C ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) recommendations would overcome accessibility and usability problems that prevent blind users from actively contributing to Wikipedia
Improving interaction via screen reader using ARIA: an example
No full textAn interface conforming to W3C ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) suite would overcome many accessibility and usability problems that prevent blind users from actively contributing to collaborative knowledge. In a previous phase of our study we identified problems of interaction via screen reader with Wikipedia, then proposed an ARIA-based modified Wikipedia editing page. The new user interface (UI) is functionally equivalent to the original Wikipedia editing page, and its appearance is very similar (apart from an additional combobox instead of a list of links), but usability is greatly enhanced. In this demo we will show interaction via Jaws screen reader using both the original and the proposed Wikipedia editing pages
Enriching graphic maps to enable multimodal interaction by blind people
No full textGeographical maps are by their nature inherently inaccessible to blind users since the information is conveyed mainly in a visual way. The attempt to convert all the information to an alternative modality allowing satisfactory exploration by blind people is a very active field of research. Several studies offer interesting solutions currently only available as prototypes. The work described herein investigates multimodality, focusing on the tactile interaction skills of a blind subject. Given the difficulty of rendering all the information available in a generic map in a tactile and/or text (Braille) format, the challenge is to provide additional substantial information content through different means: speech synthesizer, text or sound alerts and vibration events that the user may call as needed. A further challenge of our work is to make a map opportunely modified to "speak" for itself, without using dedicated devices, through web technologies and the possibility of easily developing programs for Android-based mobile devices
ICT to support dental care of children with autism: An exploratory study
No full textThe dental health of children with autism presents many challenges, since they usually perceive sensory experiences differently and have problems accepting unknown social contexts. In a dental care setting, there are many strong sound-visual stimulations that are not experienced in any other setting. This usually upsets a patient with autism, often forcing dentists to administer chemical sedation in order to carry out dental work. Recently, many technology-enhanced systems and apps have been proposed to help people with autism adapt and cope with distressing situations. However, few studies have attempted to exploit ICT to simplify dental care in people with autism. This study explores the potential of personalized digital tools to help children with autism become familiar with dental care procedures and environments and to learn how to perform proper oral hygiene at home. To this aim, we carried out a 3-month exploratory study involving a multidisciplinary team of researchers, developers, dentists, psychologist, parents and ten children with autism observed under natural conditions during their first dental care cycle. The results appear to confirm the potential of technology for reducing anxiety in professional settings, increasing children’s wellbeing and safety. The main contribution of this paper is the detailed account of this exploratory study and the discussion of the results obtained. Moreover, we outline the user requirements of an accessible and customizable multimodal platform to help dentists and families facilitate ADS children’s dental care according to the methodology described here
Guidelines for research and design of software for children with ASD in e-health
No full textAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neuro-developmental disorder that results in narrow interest and impairments in communication and social relationships. Usually, unknown contexts generate anxiety and frustration in persons with ASD, and great impediment in accessing services, including health ones. This seriously compromises prevention and treatment interventions in different medical areas. Technology offers many opportunities for persons with ASD and can be used to act as a mediator, helping to manage communication and interpersonal relationships and to familiarize with the environment, especially in new contexts. Specifically, we used digital tools to reduce stress and anxiety while teaching adequate dental care to children with ASD (MyDentist project). To generalize the R&D approach, we followed in the context of the MyDentist project for its adoption for research and development of inclusive software in e-health. We analyze our design and development process using the three-cycle model proposed by Hevner: the relevance cycle, which connects design with the environment; the rigor cycle, which connects design with the grounding theory; and the design cycle, which builds and evaluates artifacts. We present the results obtained in the project and the lessons learned. Lessons are formalized as guidelines that are further validated by a focus group including experts and stakeholders. A set of guidelines which can drive software development and research in similar contexts. Our research will benefit e-health researchers to perform rigorous and relevant Design Science Research. It will also inform software developers of e-health solutions and healthcare professionals
An analytic tool for assessing learning in children with autism
No full textOne approach for teaching subjects with autism is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). ABA intervention aims to model human behavior by observing, analyzing and modifying antecedents and/or consequences of a target behavior in the environment. To achieve this, many data are recorded during each trial, such as subject response (correct/incorrect, level of prompt, inappropriate behavior, etc.). In this paper we present a web application that aggregates and visualizes data collected during technology-enhanced educational sessions, in order to monitor learning in children with autism. In a previous study we developed a free open source web application called ABCD SW, to support educators in administering ABA programs. In this study we present a learning analytic tool that retrieves, aggregates and shows - in graphical and table form - data gathered by ABCD SW. This software offers accurate real-time monitoring of children's learning, allowing teachers to analyze the collected data more rapidly, and to accurately tune and personalize the intervention for each child
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