Vulcan
A platform for people with visual disabilities to collect data to create audio books.
We are in an initial stage which we aim to cooperate with them to label sentences in speech and texts.
Not only developing better screen reader for the visually-disabled workers, this project also adds values to them as a specialized group with hearing.
The platform is under process, so there is no clear photos now.
CHALLENGE
People who are blind or have low vision use mobiles and computers with a screen reader.
It reads on-screen texts and information into voices to be heard through earphones or speakers.
They navigate through tabs, double tabs, and specific gestures on touch screens, while they can use a wide variety of keyboard commands for computers.
Nevertheless, the screen reader functions best only under specific Accessibility conditions.
PROCESS
The process for my responsibility is shown in steps in below picture.
USER RESEARCH (1):
CONVENIENT INTERACTION WITH TECHNOLOGY FOR PEOPLE WITH VISUAL DISABILITY
INSIGHTS
The convenient characteristics for the technology interaction of the visually disabled people were drawn out into several user requirements, covering 3 aspects -- overall application, commanding, and feedback.
1 Equal accessibility to sighted people
having options and alternatives equally to the sighted community
The characteristics that were positively rated in a quantified consensus are … (ordered from the highest-rated and agreed-upon feature)
2 Easy control
giving commands effortlessly
3 Socialization with a sighted community
taking part in activities with the predominantly sighted community and being included as one of them
4 Independence
being able to learn without assistance from sighted people
5 Acknowledging feedback for human commands
perceiving feedback of what and how the machine receive commands
6 Concise troubleshoot
having a direct and quick solution for unexpected or incomprehensible problems
A keyboard is highly regarded as a effective interface that allows users to type for a longer period while working.
SOLUTION
Important features of the solutions are shown here ...
01/
KEYBOARD INTERFACE
02/
CONTROL PANEL
03/
SCREEN DISPLAY
FOR LOW-VISION USERS
04/
ACCESSIBILITY
05/
GAMIFICATION
Profile page
- Users feel responsible for their works
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Enhancing individual engagement
Coins
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Rewarding system for positive encouragement to complete the task
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Supportive system for further compensation
According a case study, most of them prefer using a keyboard because
-
they have better control over tabs on touch screens
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It allows quicker feedback with tangible keys
Plus, a keyboard
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Provides more options for several commands with less learning requirements because their familiarity with the tool
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Gives a working mood to focus on the listening task
Designed based on home keys
Adopting similar two-hands commands for similar control over both speech and text files, which are read out in sound
Black and white theme for
the best contrast
Division into 2 sides
-
aligning with the hand commands
- intuitive understanding working milestones
Designed for the best experience through screen readers
Ensurement for the best accessibility
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Guidelines for UI designers
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Guidelines for developers
Working on a site for people with hearing imparement too!
It's totally different from this audio based site.
So hold on to see the next rollout!
CONTEXT
Type: Freelance project based on my passion
Time: December 2019 - ongoing
Team:
Vulcan (A startup with developers)
Me (User Experience Designer)
My role:
User research
Accessibility review
Gamification review
User flow design
Low-fi wireframe
Usability test