| From Human-Computer Interaction to Human-Environment Interaction: Ambient Intelligence and the Disappearing Computer | | BIBA | Full-Text | 3-13 | |
| Norbert A. Streitz | |||
| In this keynote, I argue for a transition from designing Human-Computer Interaction to Human-Environment Interaction. This is done in the context of ambient intelligence and the disappearing computer, and the resulting challenges for designing interaction in future smart environments. Our approach is based on exploiting the affordances of real objects by augmenting their physical properties with the potential of computer-based support. Combining the best of both worlds requires an integration of real and virtual worlds resulting in hybrid worlds. In this approach, the computer "disappears" and is almost "invisible", but its functionality is ubiquitously available and provides new forms of interaction. The general comments are illustrated with examples from different projects. | |||
| Human Computer Confluence | | BIBA | Full-Text | 14-27 | |
| Alois Ferscha; Stefan Resmerita; Clemens Holzmann | |||
| Pervasive Computing has postulated to invisibly integrate technology into everyday objects in such a way, that these objects turn into smart things. Not only a single object of this kind is supposed to represent the interface among the "physical world" of atoms and the "digital world" of bits, but a whole landscapes of them. The interaction among humans and such landscapes of technology rich artifacts happens to be more confluently, rather than on a per device basis. To address the confluence among humans and computing landscapes we study we study human gesticulation and the manipulation of graspable and movable everyday artifacts as a potentially effective means for the interaction with the physical environment. In detail, we consider gestures in the general sense of a movement or a state (posture) of the human body, as well as a movement or state of any physical object resulting from human manipulation. Further, based on the tangible user interface paradigm, we propose employing intuitive tangible universal controls that translate physical motions into actions for controlling landscapes of smart things. Such intuitive "everyday"-gestures have been collected in a series of user tests, yielding a catalogue of generic body and artifact gesture dynamics. We present a systematic approach to selecting and steering using tangible artifacts by associating a flip-movement to service selection and a turn-movement to parameter steering. An implementation of this approach in a general software framework and several experiments with various fully functional artifacts and devices are described. | |||
| A Customizable Camera-Based Human Computer Interaction System Allowing People with Disabilities Autonomous Hands-Free Navigation of Multiple Computing Tasks | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 28-42 | |
| Wajeeha Akram; Laura Tiberii; Margrit Betke | |||
| Many people suffer from conditions that lead to deterioration of motor
control making access to the computer using traditional input devices
difficult. In particular, they may loose control of hand movement to the extent
that the standard mouse cannot be used as a pointing device. Most current
alternatives use markers or specialized hardware, for example, wearable
devices, to track and translate a user's movement to pointer movement. These
approaches may be perceived as intrusive. Camera-based assistive systems that
use visual tracking of features on the user's body often require cumbersome
manual adjustment. This paper introduces an enhanced computer vision based
strategy where features, for example on a user's face, viewed through an
inexpensive USB camera, are tracked and translated to pointer movement. The
main contributions of this paper are (1) enhancing a video based interface with
a mechanism for mapping feature movement to pointer movement that allows users
to navigate to all areas of the screen even with very limited physical movement
and (2) providing a customizable, hierarchical navigation framework for human
computer interaction (HCI). This framework provides effective use of the
vision-based interface system for accessing multiple applications in an
autonomous setting. Experiments with several users show the effectiveness of
the mapping strategy and its usage within the application framework as a
practical tool for desktop users with disabilities. Keywords: Computer-vision - assistive technology - alternative input devices -
video-based human-computer interfaces - autonomous navigation | |||
| Interactive TV Design That Blends Seamlessly with Everyday Life | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 43-57 | |
| Konstantinos Chorianopoulos | |||
| Television use does not require high skill or effort, which is ideal as a
paradigm of use for ambient user interfaces. In this paper, universal access in
ambient intelligence is modeled after the use of TV in everyday life. Instead
of considering television only as a content medium and the focus of user
activity, an alternative approach is to consider television use as a secondary
function to other activities, such as socializing, domestic chores, leisure
pursuits. For this purpose, the requirements for ambient user interactivity
with TV are organized in a small set of design principles. The design
principles have been selected, analyzed and synthesized from readings in
previous works on media and ethnographic studies about television, and everyday
life. It is suggested that universal access in ambient intelligence is promoted
by considering design principles such as opportunistic interaction, user
participation, group interactions, and multiple levels of attention to the user
interface. Finally, the principles have been tested in the design of a user
interface for interactive music television. This preliminary case suggests that
the proposed principles facilitate the design of user interfaces that blend
seamlessly with everyday life. Keywords: Design principles - metaphors - paradigm of use - Ambient ITV - interactive
TV - media studies | |||
| Hybrid Knowledge Modeling for Ambient Intelligence | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 58-77 | |
| Porfírio Filipe; Nuno Mamede | |||
| This paper describes our research in enhance everyday devices as a solution
to adapt Spoken Dialogue Systems (SDS) within ambient intelligence. In this
context, a SDS enables universal access to ambient intelligence for anyone,
anywhere at anytime, allowing the access to any device through any media or
language. The main problem that we want to address is the spontaneous
configuration of SDS to deal with a set of arbitrary plug and play devices.
Such problem is resumed as a portability feature and is a critical research
issue. We propose a hybrid approach to design ubiquitous domain models to allow
the SDS to recognize on-the-fly the available devices and tasks they provide.
When a device is activated or deactivated, a broker's knowledge model is
updated from device's knowledge model using a knowledge integration process.
This process was tested in the home environment represented by a set of
devices. Keywords: Ambient Intelligence - Spoken Dialogue System | |||
| Setup Consistent Visual Textures for Haptic Surfaces in a Virtual Reality World | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 78-87 | |
| Wanhua Hu; Tao Lin; Kazuo Sakai; Atsumi Imamiya; Masaki Omata | |||
| In the real world, interactions with objects are typically multimodal,
involving two or more sensory modalities. To simulate the real world in virtual
environments, it is thus important to provide multisensory input. Haptics are
increasingly being employed as an input channel. However, different modal
interfaces are artificially created in a virtual reality world. Does the visual
information we provide about surfaces need to be consistent with their haptic
representation? In this paper, we present the results of a haptic texture
cognition experiment in which subjects judged the haptic size of regular dots.
We found that visual texture information that was consistent with haptic
information lead to a higher percentage of correct answers and shorter judging
times. Furthermore, we found that participants relied on visual information as
judgments became more difficult, even though they were asked to make decisions
using haptic stimuli only. Keywords: multimodal human-computer interfaces - virtual reality - haptics - textured
surfaces | |||
| Alice Through the Inter-face Electronic Mirrors as Human-Computer-Interface | | BIBA | Full-Text | 88-98 | |
| Daniel Michelis; Florian Resatsch | |||
| This article describes the multi-media installation Magical Mirrors with which the tradition of the mirror, as an interface between real and virtual worlds is carried over into the world of digital mediums. Long before the development of the computer, mirrors were used as a medium for visual simulation and with them virtual worlds have already been simulated for hundreds of years. The ability to capture the real world and reflect it back in a true to life or even distorted way was for a long time the sole privilege of the mirror. Today this ability is emulated via digital media technologies, such as the installation Magical Mirrors. | |||
| Elderly Users in Ambient Intelligence: Does an Avatar Improve the Interaction? | | BIBA | Full-Text | 99-114 | |
| Amalia Ortiz; María del Puy Carretero; David Oyarzun; Jose Javier Yanguas; Cristina Buiza; M. Feli Gonzalez; Igone Etxeberria | |||
| In order to examine the effect of an avatar in natural interaction with elderly users in ambient intelligent environments, we performed an empirical study with elderly people (normal aging, mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's patients) not only on subjective but also on objective measures. The data supports the following: 1) The subjects followed some instructions much better when interacting with the avatar. 2) The presence of the avatar has neither any positive nor negative effect on the recall of elderly people and it has a positive effect only on the subjective measures. 3) We found that elderly people both with and without cognitive impairment are capable of recognizing emotions in the facial expressions of the avatar and 4) they found the experience of having an emotional avatar in the interface a pleasant one. Thus, we conclude that virtual characters could improve the interaction between elderly people and machines, but this would depend greatly on the request task. | |||
| Barriers of Information Access in Small Screen Device Applications: The Relevance of User Characteristics for a Transgenerational Design | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 117-136 | |
| Katrin Arning; Martina Ziefle | |||
| The proliferation of ubiquitous computing is accompanied by the development
of devices, which promise to facilitate the daily living activities of people.
However, the question if mobile devices address the usability demands of older
users is still unsettled. This paper reports the findings of a series of
studies that examined the performance of younger and older adults when using
personal data management software applications of a PDA. In order to learn
about the ageing impact, the influence of user characteristics like spatial and
memory abilities, the subjective technical confidence and computer-expertise on
performance outcomes were analysed. Beyond quantitative performance
measurements, the major shortcomings in interface design were identified.
Results showed that older users reached lower performance outcomes. Even young
adults did not reach a perfect performance level, hinting again at shortcomings
in the design of PDA applications. Overall, the findings demonstrate the need
to include user characteristics in interface design. Keywords: experimental - older adults - spatial ability - expertise - menu navigation
- personal data management applications - PDA | |||
| Designing Intelligent Tutors to Adapt Individual Interaction | | BIBA | Full-Text | 137-153 | |
| Andrina Granić; Slavomir Stankov; Jelena Nakić | |||
| Present-day efforts in designing technologies to serve and adapt to human needs rather than forcing humans to adapt, embrace intelligent user interfaces as one of ambient intelligence key technologies. This paper elaborates on the design of an adaptive individual interaction in a type of computer-based educational system whose operation is supported by intelligent methods, an emulation of human teacher in the process of learning and teaching. In order to design interaction simple and effortless as well as to adjust learning process and teaching material to individual student, a mechanism for monitoring student's interaction and generating related adaptive interface based on student model is developed. Furthermore, a classification of adaptive hypermedia systems with regard to employed adaptation technology is offered. | |||
| User Profiles for Adapting Speech Support in the Opera Web Browser to Disabled Users | | BIBA | Full-Text | 154-172 | |
| Jan Heim; Erik G. Nilsson; Jan Håvard Skjetne | |||
| In this paper we describe results from our work on adapting speech support in the Opera web browser to disabled users, through using available gross categories of equipment feature (screen presentation and program control) to categorize user and usage characteristics in user profiles. Allocation of users to equipment is based on characteristics of user and equipment, rather than on diagnostic categories. We have combined a number of approaches to investigate how users with different kinds of disabilities may benefit from speech support in the Opera web browser, and how the speech support may be adapted to enhance their utility of this support. After an introduction, we present the method used, the user profiles, and how different types of voice support may be adapted to different (combinations of) profiles. The latter includes both general requirements and suggestions for presentation formats and commands (voice or keyboard) for the profiles. The main conclusions from the work are that the voice support in the version of the Opera web browser that was used in the study is most suitable for people who have reading and writing disorders and that further development of voice support should focus on better adaptation for persons with motor disabilities. Most blind and visually impaired people in Norway already have access to specialized support, and do not need the voice support in Opera. | |||
| A Context Model for Context-Aware System Design Towards the Ambient Intelligence Vision: Experiences in the eTourism Domain | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 173-191 | |
| Federica Paganelli; Gabriele Bianchi; Dino Giuli | |||
| The Ambient Intelligence (AmI) vision implies the concept of "smart spaces"
populated by intelligent entities. While most implementations focus strictly on
local applications of "AmI", we think of an AmI scenario as a federation of
instances of local and application AmI domains. In order to deal with
distributed context handling in AmI domains, we propose a context model
suitable for distributed context acquisition, reasoning and delivery to
applications. We propose a hybrid approach, which aims at combining the
advantages of object-oriented models for distributed context handling and those
of ontology-based models for context reasoning. We have applied this model to
the development of a context-aware eTourism application. This application aims
at providing tourists with context-aware services supporting communication and
knowledge exchange. It integrates already available location-based content
delivery services with a context-aware instant messaging service and a provider
reputation service. Here we describe main design issues and prototype
implementation. Keywords: context-awareness - context modeling - ontology - eTourism | |||
| Applying the MVC Pattern to Generated User Interfaces with a Focus on Audio | | BIBA | Full-Text | 192-210 | |
| Dirk Schnelle; Tobias Klug | |||
| Mobile users can interact with devices in the environment either by operating them directly or through personal devices carried by the users. This requires an adaption of the user interface to the device used. Declarative markup languages are considered to be a solution for single authoring user interfaces for different devices and modalities. This is a challenging task, since each device has its own characteristics. We present in this paper a novel architecture to support the creation of user interfaces based on a declarative markup language and a UI-independent task model. This architecture is based on the Model-View-Controller pattern (MVC) to generate user interfaces from declarative markup languages. We introduce a clear border between a modality independent task model and UI design. We also show how the development of smart environments can benefit from the workflow engine underlying our architecture. | |||
| Scenarios for Personalized Accessible Multimedia Messaging Services | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 211-226 | |
| Thorsten Völkel; Gerhard Weber; Philipp Eichelberg | |||
| In this paper we present usage scenarios for accessible multimedia messaging
services (MMS) including scenarios for public transportation and information
services for spas. Results of a survey are presented which was conducted to
analyse the interest of potential users in services described by the scenarios.
Additionally, the concept of media transformation for the realization of
accessible multimedia messaging services and a basic architecture for the
server side generation of multimedia messages based on user profiles are
introduced. In this context, the problem of coherence of time-dependent media
is discussed which occurs when information is presented using alternative
media. Keywords: Accessibility - Personalization - Multimedia Messaging Services - Usage
Scenarios | |||
| Lessons from Ambient Intelligence Prototypes for Universal Access and the User Experience | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 229-243 | |
| Ray Adams; Clive Russell | |||
| A cognitive evaluation of a sample of first wave of ambient intelligent
prototypes was used to identify key implications for universal access in
ambient intelligence environments, using a simple model of cognitive factors
(Simplex Two). Emotional aspects of the user experience were the least well
developed. A study of user experience, with two intelligent prototypes, one
less intelligent and irritating showed a substantial impact of negative
emotions on user performance that was independent of age. Surprising,
performance changed significantly but ratings of perceived difficulty did not,
suggesting caution in their uses. Finally, a case study of the
user-participative development of a PDA for use with ambient intelligence
confirmed the importance of emotional factors in inclusive design. Clearly,
well structured and systematic methodologies (e.g. UUID) can consider the
users' emotional experience and inform the construction of ambient intelligence
prototypes and systems. Keywords: cognition - smart systems - prototypes - emotion | |||
| Automatic Evaluation of Mobile Web Accessibility | | BIBA | Full-Text | 244-260 | |
| Myriam Arrue; Markel Vigo; Julio Abascal | |||
| Nowadays there is a growing trend towards using web based applications and web browsers in mobile devices such as cellular phones, PDAs, smart phones, and so on. However, interacting with these web interfaces tends to be a frustrating and unsatisfactory experience due to the existing accessibility barriers. Developing accessible web interfaces for mobile devices is a step towards user satisfaction in these environments. "Mobile Web Best Practices" are being discussed so that developers can have a valid reference when creating these web interfaces. However, since they do not have to be experts in the mobile web field, they need tools which automatically evaluate their applications and give them guidance during the development lifecycle. In this paper, EvalAccess, a polyvalent and flexible evaluation tool, has been transformed into a mobile web accessibility evaluation tool, EvalAccess MOBILE. | |||
| A Participatory Evaluation Method of Graphic User Interface Storyboards: FAST AIDE (Function Annotated Storyboards Targeting Applicability, Importance, Design, Elaborations) | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 261-272 | |
| Gisela S. Bahr; Beth F. Wheeler Atkinson; Melissa M. Walwanis Nelson | |||
| The FAST AIDE (Function Annotated Storyboards Targeting Applicability,
Importance, Design, Elaborations) method was developed to capture qualitative
and quantitative feedback from highly specialized, expert end-users during the
storyboarding stage of new software applications. Unlike traditional
approaches, FAST AIDE does not rely on the generation of walk-through scripts
or scenarios, but is focused on software features and functionalities. Our
rationale is based on the cognitive concept of spreading activation. Spreading
activation is hypothesized to occur within knowledge structures similar to
organized networks of words or concepts (i.e., nodes). FAST AIDE taps into
experiential background of specialized users by utilizing feature dimensions
and functionality characteristics to trigger relevant memory. In addition to
presenting an approach to knowledge solicitation, FAST AIDE employs a
combination data collection questionnaire tool in order to facilitate data
evaluation. The paper provides a background and a guide to the implementation
of the FAST AIDE method. Keywords: GUI design - GUI Evaluation Method - GUI mock-up storyboard testing -
participatory method - scenario-free - subject matter experts - schema -
spreading activation - context memory | |||
| Addressing the Challenges of Inclusive Design: A Case Study Approach | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 273-286 | |
| Hua Dong; Julia Cassim; Roger Coleman | |||
| The challenges for inclusive design include: education of designers;
communication of the importance of inclusive design to the public; business
rationale for inclusive design to industry; evaluation of the impact of
inclusive design.
We believe that a case study approach to inclusive design would help answer these challenges. Based on a design research methodology and a guide for scientific writing, we have developed a template that allows us to write up inclusive design case studies in a systematic way and eventually to build a case study 'bank'. A matrix is presented to explain how this has helped in addressing the challenges of inclusive design. Two examples drawn from the case study 'bank' are presented to illustrate the approach in detail. The template proves an effective means of structuring the case studies and communicating them in a manner that is relevant to a diverse audience. Keywords: Inclusive design - case studies - challenges - template - matrix | |||
| Defining Acceptable Levels of Accessibility | | BIBA | Full-Text | 287-303 | |
| Simeon Keates | |||
| This paper examines the issues facing companies when designing products and services for equitable access, particularly in view of the legislated requirements that they have to meet. The concepts of acceptability and accessibility are discussed and a framework proposed for establishing whether a product or service is acceptably accessible. Relevant case studies are referenced, where appropriate, to support the arguments presented. | |||
| Combined User Physical, Physiological and Subjective Measures for Assessing User Cost | | BIBA | Full-Text | 304-316 | |
| Tao Lin; Atsumi Imamiya; Wanhua Hu; Masaki Omata | |||
| New technologies are making it possible to provide an enriched view of interaction for researchers using multimodal information. This preliminary study explores the use of multimodal information streams in evaluating user cost. In the study, easy, medium and difficult versions of a game task were used to vary the levels of the cost to user. Multimodal data streams during the three versions were analyzed, including eye tracking, pupil size, hand movement, heart rate variability (HRV) and subjectively reported data. Three findings indicate the potential value of multimodal information in evaluating usability: First, subjective and physiological measures showed significant sensitivity to task difficulty. Second, different user cost levels appeared to correlate with eye movement patterns, especially with a combined eye-hand measure. Third, HRV showed correlations with saccade speed. These results warrant further investigations and take an initial step toward establishing usability evaluation methods based on multimodal information. | |||
| User Interfaces for Persons with Deafblindness | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 317-334 | |
| Sara Rutgersson; Mattias Arvola | |||
| This paper examines the problems persons with deafblindness encounter when
using computers, and what can be done to avoid the problems in the design of a
communication tool. A qualitative study was conducted with 12 participants. The
results show that a system needs to resolve issues of simplicity, flexibility,
and feedback. In our redesign of the communication tool we employ what we call
a screen reader use flow with precursor cues, to aid the user in getting an
overview of the program and its functions. This is very difficult when using a
Braille display. The screen reader use flow with precursor cues is one means to
satisfy the demands of both users who use a visual display and users who use a
Braille display. Keywords: Deafblind - accessibility - usability - inclusive design - total
communication | |||
| Display Characteristics Affect Users' Emotional Arousal in 3D Games | | BIBA | Full-Text | 337-351 | |
| Tao Lin; Atsumi Imamiya; Wanhua Hu; Masaki Omata | |||
| Large computer screens are becoming more and more popular among users, and field of view and physical screen size are important considerations for users and manufacturers. In this study, we investigated the impacts of visual angles and physical screen size on users' emotional arousal using subjective and physiological measures. The results suggest that larger visual angles cause greater galvanic skin responses (GSR), and the GSR data are mirrored in the subjective ratings of emotional arousal. We also found that physical screen size causes significant effects in subjective ratings. This study contributes to our understanding of how users interact with large displays and helps refine the requirements for what constitutes effective and desirable human-computer interaction (HCI). | |||
| User Interfaces for Pervasive Games: Experiences of a Formative Multi-method Evaluation and Its Implications for System Development | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 352-368 | |
| Carsten Röcker; Carsten Magerkurth; Maral Haar | |||
| This paper presents a formative multi-method evaluation on future gaming
systems. Following a scenario-driven approach, quantitative and qualitative
methods are employed to elicit feedback from different target user populations.
Based on the results of the different evaluation parts, a set of design
requirements for future home entertainment systems is derived. These
requirements are then used to guide the development process of a ubiquitous
computing gaming platform. To demonstrate the usefulness of the gaming
platform, a sample application is discussed, which is described in the last
section of this paper. Keywords: User Interfaces - Pervasive Games - Evaluation - System Development -
Tangible User Interfaces - Human Computer Interaction | |||
| Mobile Messenger for the Blind | | BIBA | Full-Text | 369-385 | |
| Jaime Sánchez; Fernando Aguayo | |||
| An increasing number of studies have used technology to help blind people to integrate more fully into a global world. We present software to use mobile devices by blind users. The software considers a system of instant messenger to favor interaction of blind users with any other user connected to the network. Input/Output implementation modules were emphasized creating a 9-button virtual keyboard and associated Text-to-Speech technology (TTS). The virtual keyboard helps to write into the pocketPC without needing external devices, representing a real challenge for novice blind users. The TTS engine was adapted to blind users by adjusting the engine. Usability evaluation of these modules was iteratively applied to end-users. As a result, the integration of the designed modules into a communication system helped us to create a messenger system specially tailored to people with visual disabilities. | |||
| Subway Mobility Assistance Tools for Blind Users | | BIBA | Full-Text | 386-404 | |
| Jaime Sánchez; Eduardo Maureira | |||
| In this study, we introduce software for blind users that represents a subway system in a desktop computer. A user can organize and prepare a travel with the assistance of the software before riding the subway. After a usability study and cognitive evaluation, we detected the need for creating a mobile solution with similar goals as the desktop application. This software for mobile devices has also the capacity to help the user to solve mobility and orientation problems in real subway stations. In order to design a handheld version it was necessary to consider new features such as travel duration, tickets fare, and the estimated time duration of the travel. Conclusions from the usability study revealed the importance of using interface elements such as the audio-based hierarchy menu, the travel simulation, and the information about the subway network, stations and their surroundings. The cognitive study results revealed important gains in the development of orientation and mobility skills to use the subway system in blind users, which help them to be more integrated to the society. | |||
| An Accessible Multimodal Pong Game Space | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 405-418 | |
| Anthony Savidis; Apostolos Stamou; Constantine Stephanidis | |||
| King Pong is an accessible remake of the classic Pong game, supporting a
spatially localized audio environment and force feedback (transforming sound
into haptic feedback). It may be played either by one player and the computer
as opponent, or by two players. In the two-player mode, the opponents can share
the same computer, or alternatively play the game over the network. King Pong
also supports recording (logging) and playback of game play activities with
time stamps for off-line analysis and evaluation. The game is fully
configurable, regarding the auditory grid, the behavior of the force feedback,
the graphical appearance and various sound effects. Moreover, different levels
of difficulty are supported, affecting speed and the game arena (i.e., circular
top-bottom sides). This paper reports the design methodology regarding the
spatial auditory grid, as well as the use of force feedback, and discusses
issues related to the game-play itself, such as the simulation of an artificial
opponent. Keywords: Universally accessible games - Non-visual interaction - Auditory displays -
Spatially localized audio - Force feedback | |||
| Web Compliance Management: Barrier-Free Websites Just by Simply Pressing the Button? Accessibility and the Use of Content-Management-Systems | | BIBA | Full-Text | 419-426 | |
| Martina Schulz; Michael Pieper | |||
| The World Wide Web has become an important instrument of social participation, equal opportunities and self-determination. Especially for disabled people and the elderly, the Internet offers the possibility to take care of their affairs by themselves and to compensate lost mobility to a certain degree. Therefore information on the Internet should be easy to access, easy to use as well as easy to understand. However, disabled people, unpracticed users and the elderly - because of their specific functional limitations and needs - encounter barriers and restrictions in accessing many websites. In order to refresh contents of a website, many software producers have put an effort in developing easy-to-use content-management-systems (CMS) which most recently address the topic of accessibility as well. The central aim of the study presented in this paper was to find out whether certain CMSs in fact do offer a technology which allows for an editor to refresh a barrier-free website without special knowledge in accessibility by simply "pressing the button" of a CMS integrated tool, which claims to automatically offer compliance with standard accessibility guidelines. | |||
| Inclusive Design of Ambient Knowledge Transfer | | BIBA | Full-Text | 427-446 | |
| Chris Stary; Edith Stary; Stefan Oppl | |||
| Inclusive Design of knowledge transfer aims to involve different learners and coaches into the transfer process of knowledge in a way that actively supports learning. In this paper we elaborate some benefits for learners and coaches when applying major principles of Maria Montessori along the transfer process of knowledge. Benefits stem from learners' self control and individualised learning experiences. We motivate the immersion of learners into physical and ambient transfer environments, and reveal first insights from testing those ideas. The results of our work should guide further developments of inclusive knowledge-transfer environments. | |||
| Web Mediators for Accessible Browsing | | BIBAK | Full-Text | 447-466 | |
| Benjamin N. Waber; John J. Magee; Margrit Betke | |||
| We present a highly accurate method for classifying web pages based on link
percentage, which is the percentage of text characters that are parts of links
normalized by the number of all text characters on a web page. We also present
a novel link grouping algorithm using agglomerative hierarchical clustering
that groups links in the same spatial neighborhood together while preserving
link structure. Grouping allows users with severe disabilities to use a
scan-based mechanism to tab through a web page and select items. In
experiments, we saw up to a 40-fold reduction in the number of commands needed
to click on a link with a scan-based interface. Our classification method
consistently outperformed a baseline classifier even when using minimal data to
generate article and index clusters, and achieved classification accuracy of
94.0% on web sites with well-formed or slightly malformed HTML, compared with
80.1% accuracy for the baseline classifier. Keywords: Web mediators - link grouping - web page classification - k-means clustering | |||