RNIB's Scientific Research Unit's annual report 2000

Annual Report 2000

1. Aims of the Unit

To influence and encourage external research and development of future benefit to visually disabled persons.
To influence the design of equipment and systems for the general public such that they are accessible to visually disabled persons.
To influence the development of relevant standards.

2. Staff

Current staffing of the Unit is:

John Gill Chief Scientist

Linda Newson Research and Information Officer

Lis Angle Administrator / Website Assistant

3. Fonts

ScreenFont was extended to 346 characters to allow for extra Latin-based languages. In collaboration with Dr J Silver, C Sharville and P O'Donnell, derivative fonts were developed for use on computer screens, signage and instructions for public access terminals; these fonts are being distributed by Bitstream.

4. Electronic Retailing

The particular interest of the Unit is the user interface for information kiosks and interactive television. In collaboration with the Centre for 3D Electronic Commerce and funded by Department of Trade and Industry, work is being undertaken on the design of user interfaces for systems for electronic shopping.

5. Controls

The Unit is a partner in a project on the design of non-visual user interfaces; the project is funded by Department of Trade and Industry.

6. Telecommunications

In collaboration with COST 219bis and PhoneAbility, the Unit has continued its involvement in access to telecommunication equipment and services, with particular emphasis on wireless systems.

7. Information

In collaboration with Dr J Silver of Moorfields Eye Hospital, the website has been updated and extended to provide more information for those interested in non-medical research and development for visually disabled persons.

8. Publications and Reports

Gill J M Helping Others to Help Themselves. Card World and Fraud Watch Annual Review, ISSN 0967-8026, Feb 2000, pp 31-32.

Gill J M The Challenge of Convergence for Inclusive Design. Feb 2000. www.tiresias.org/research/reports/ccid.htm

Gill J M & Slater J N Inclusive Design of Interactive Television. Digital News, No 13, March 2000, pp 6-8. www.tiresias.org/research/reports/dtg.htm

Gill J M Mobile Telephony: Will Future Developments be Accessible to Visually Impaired Users? Rehabilitation International Conference on Mobile Telephony, Potsdam, June 2000. www.tiresias.org/research/reports/potsdam.htm

Gill J M Smart Cards Could Help Disabled People. COST 219 Seminar on telecommunications for Disabled and Elderly Persons, Porto, June 2000.

Gill J M Design Features of Terminals to Improve Accessibility by Visually Impaired Persons. In Stuen C et al Vision Rehabilitation: Assessment, Intervention and Outcomes, Swets & Zeitlinger, ISBN 90 265 1631 2, August 2000. www.tiresias.org/research/reports/terminal.htm

Gill J M Which Button? Designing User Interfaces for People with Visual Impairments. ISBN 1 86048 023 3, Sept 2000. www.tiresias.org/about/publications/controls

Gill J M Tiresias: A Family of Typefaces Designed for Legibility on Screens, Signs and Labels. Sept 2000. www.tiresias.org/fonts

Gill J M Bluetooth: Can It Help Disabled People? Incisor, Oct 2000. www.tiresias.org/research/reports/bluetooth.htm

Shipley A D C & Gill J M Call Barred? Inclusive Design of Wireless Systems. ISBN 1 86048 024 1, Dec 2000. www.tiresias.org/phoneability/wireless.htm