2001 annual report for the RNIB's Scientific Research Unit

Annual Report 2001

1. Aims of the Unit

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

2. Staff

Current staffing of the Unit is:

John Gill Chief Scientist

Sylvie Perera Human Factors Scientist

Linda Newson Research and Information Officer

Lis Angle Website Administrator

3. Fonts
A font is being developed for use in large print books. The experimental research has concentrated on character shapes, design of punctuation, amount of serif, weight of typeface, and kerning.

4. Information and Communication Technologies

The Unit is involved in projects on electronic shopping and design of non-visual user interfaces; both projects are funded by Department of Trade and Industry. Another project concerns the interfacing of assistive devices to information and communication technology systems; this project is funded by the European Commission.

The Unit has been active in COST 219bis (Telecommunications: Access by Disabled and Elderly People) and PhoneAbility. Another project, funded by the National Disability Authority, is on the development of guidelines for the accessibility of information and communication technology systems.

5. Stimulation of Research

The Unit has maintained its website including data on ongoing research and devices already developed, and has added new sections on research needed by visually impaired persons and sources of research funding. Also a database has been created of visually impaired people willing to participate in research projects.

6. Publications and Reports

Gill J M Keeping Step? Scientific and Technological Research for Visually Impaired People. ISBN 1 86048 025 X, February 2001. Also at www.tiresias.org/keeping_step

Gill J M & Silver J H Low Vision Equipment. ISBN 1 86048 026 8, March 2001, 92 pp.

Gill J M The Impact of New Information and Communication Technologies on People with Disabilities. Proceedings of Towards a Barrier Free Europe for Citizens with Disabilities, April 2001, pp 61-70.

Gill J M Inclusive Design of Wireless Systems. Proceedings of Conference on Usability for Mobile Devices and Services, May 2001.

Gill J M Requirements for the Interconnection of Assistive Technology Devices and Information and Communication Technology Systems. July 2001, 54 pp. Also at www.tiresias.org/reports/inter.htm

Gill J M Public Access Terminals. In Nicolle C and Abascal J Inclusive Design Guidelines for Human-Computer Interaction. Taylor & Francis, ISBN 0 7484 0948 3, 2001, pp 179-191.

Gill J M Inclusive Design of Third Generation Telecommunication Systems. In Assistive Technology - Added Value to the Quality of Life, IOS Press, ISBN 1 58603 195 3, September 2001, pp 66-69.

Shipley A D C Telecommunications Terminals Supply - A Universal Service Model. June 2001. Also at www.tiresias.org/reports/tts.htm

Shipley A D C Telecommunications Services: Access by Disabled People. September 2001. Also at www.tiresias.org/reports/emergency.htm