Exploring Interface Design for Independent Navigation by People with Visual Impairments

Abstract

Most user studies of navigation applications for people with visual impairments have been limited by existing localization technologies, and appropriate instruction types and information needs have been determined through interviews. Using Wizard-of- Oz navigation interfaces, we explored how people with visual impairments respond to different instruction intervals, precision, output modalities, and landmark use during in situ navigation tasks. We present the results of an experimental study with nine people with visual impairments, and provide direction and open questions for future work on adaptive navigation interfaces.