Research

Researchers listed alphabetically by surname

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A

Dr. Frances Aldrich
Reginald Phillips Research Programme, Department of Psychology, School of Life Sciences (JMS Building), University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QG, United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 1273 877102 (Reginald Phillips Research Programme)
Tel: +44 1273 678058 (Department secretary)
Fax: +44 1273 678058
Email: F.K.Aldrich@sussex.ac.uk
Web: www.biols.susx.ac.uk/reginald-phillips/
Publications

Current & recent projects

The Reginald Phillips Research Programme
Co-worker(s): Ms. Linda Sheppard Mrs. Yvonne Hindle
Six year investigation, split into 2 phases, into the design and use of tactile (raised line) graphics in the education of visually impaired children.

Phase One
With a focus on learning materials, Phase One explored expectations concerning graphicacy at primary school level for both sighted and visually impaired children, and went on to document the experiences of visually impaired pupils and their teachers in using tactile graphics.
Project start date: 1998
Project end date: 2000

Phase Two
Phase Two explored the skills and knowledge involved in the use of tactile graphic materials . The aim was to address two substantial questions: 'What skills underlie tactile graphicacy?' and 'How can visually impaired people be assisted in developing these skills?'.
Project start date: 2001
Project end date: 2004

Last updated: 16/11/2007

Frank Allemeersch
Sensotec NV, Gistelsteenweg 112, B-8490 Varsenare, Belgium.
Tel: +32 50 39 4949
Fax: +32 50 39 4946
Email: frank.allemeersch@sensotec.be
Web: www.sensotec.be/

Current & recent projects

VLAMM (VLaams Initiatief Aangepaste MultiMedia - Flemish Initiative Accessible MultiMedia)
The project investigates a new type of service that makes the composition of accessible multimedia packages more efficient and cheaper. A central internet library has been created for this purpose, allowing users to gain access to all available information, online or on CD and to add information themselves.
Ongoing project

CAPPS (Communication and Access to Information for Persons with Special Needs)
One of the major problems for blind and partially sighted people is that only a fraction of all printed information is accessible to them. An additional problem is the lack of standardisation of digital information. The CAPS project aimed to developed a method to standardise multimedia information and make it accessible to visually impaired.

The project was divided in two phases, the first step being the development of a method to make newspapers accessible. A special SGML format was developed which can be read with CAPSREADER, a specially adapted software. The second step extended this method to all SGML based documents. For this project, Sensotec developed the SGML conversion software, the reading software CAPSREADER and the Telephone Access System.

EuropeMMM (Efficient Usage of Remote and Online Publication of Electronic MultiMedia Materials)
Composing a coherent multimedia pack from different information sources is a major problem when working with multimedia data. On top of that, there are a number of specific target group limitations to be taken into account and a restricted availability of aids and tools to read multimedia data. The EuropeMMM project seeks to develop network tools for creating, choosing and publishing multimedia data.

DigiKrant (Digital newspapers for Blind and Visually Impaired)
Digikrant looked into the possibilities of sending a daily newspaper to visually impaired subscribers. Using the experience gained during the CAPS project, an SGML version of "De Standaard" newspaper was developed. Special reader software was also developed to read the digital newspaper using magnification software, braille or speech output. This newspaper is sent every morning by regular mail, allowing subscribers to have daily access to a vast source of information: news, weather forecasts, television programmes, background information. Visually impaired and sighted subscribers have access to this information at the same moment, which is an advantage for social integration.
Ongoing project

Last updated: 16/11/2007

Tomohiro Amemiya
Sensory and Motor Research Group, Human and Information Science Laboratory, NTT Communication Science Laboratories, NTT Corporation, 3-1 Morinosato Wakamiya, Atsugi-shi, Kanagawa Pref., 243-0198 Japan.
Tel: +81 46 240 3524
Email: t-amemiya@avg.brl.ntt.co.jp
Web: www.brl.ntt.co.jp/people/t-amemiya/
Publications

Current & recent projects

Perceptual Attraction Force - Buru-Navi
The project is investigating the phenomenon of haptic illusion (using the characteristic of human perception) and using this phenomenon to develop a force-feedback haptic device. The project aims to use the non-linearity of human perception to induce a force vector, based on the perception method of force sensation; humans feel rapid acceleration more strongly than slow acceleration. This haptic "wash-out" is then utilised to generate a pull sensation. The force display module would replace (or work in conjunction with) vibrators in all mobile devices. Applications include a cellular phone that draws your hand where you want to go.
Project start date: 2004
Project end date: Ongoing

Oboe-like Braille Input Interface for Wearable Computing (OBOE)
The project developed a wearable interface for textual input on the basis of Braille input method. The device, named OBOE, is operated by both hands, which is good for portability and can be used while standing. The users get their input operations confirmed clearly by feeling the click since the buttons of the proposed device are the same mechanical switches as used in keyboards for desktop computers. The results of an experiment of learning effect revealed that the users who had no experience of Braille input could type Japanese phrases at 35.4 Braille codes per minute, and who had experience at 112.4 Braille codes per minute. Thus novices can master the proposed device and experts can input text very fast by using OBOE. Based on the results of questionnaire by the subjects, we discussed the comparison with a Braille typewriter, the optimum layout of keys for OBOE, and the posture of holding.
Project start date: 2004
Project end date: 2005

Last updated: 16/11/2007

Dr. Aries Arditi
Arlene R Gordon Research Institute, Lighthouse International, 111 East 59th Street, New York, New York 10222, United States of America.
Email: aarditi@lighthouse.org
Web: www.lighthouse.org/research/
Publications

Current & recent projects

Spatial Layout and Image Scale in Low Vision
The project will study how people with low vision (both real and simulated) appreciate two-dimensional aspects of spatial layout, especially in highly magnified images such as those viewed through a magnifier or on a magnified computer screen. The project will attempt to tease apart difficulties in appreciating layout due to high magnification from those due to field restrictions that accompany magnification.
Project start date: 2008
Project finish date: 2011

Last updated: 28/03/2008

Dr. Chieko Asakawa
IBM Japan Ltd. Tokyo Research Laboratory, 1624-14 Shimotsuruma, Yamato-shi, Kanagawa-ken 242-8502, Japan.
Email: chie@jp.ibm.com
Web: http://domino.research.ibm.com/
Publications

Current & recent projects

IBM Accessibility Internet Browser for Multimedia (aiBrowser)
The use of multimedia content has risen dramatically in the last few years, but people with limited or no vision have not been able to enjoy the benefits of these advances. Screen-reading software and self-talking browsers cannot handle multimedia applications, which are designed for intuitive visual use. This project aims to develop a system that offers people with visual impairments the same multimedia control features sighted people see and operate with a mouse and new function to make Web content accessible by providing configuration files.
Ongoing

aDesigner
The uses of the Internet, including the Web, are proliferating and more and more social activities are supported and even conducted online. In this environment, the "digital divide," the difficulty in using information technologies experienced by some users, such as visually impaired people and senior citizens seems likely to become a major social problem. For Web designers, one of the most effective ways to create accessible web pages is to experiences the difficulties faced by those users. However, it is not easy for non-disabled Web designers to have such experience even if they use assistive technology software. the aim of this project is to develop a disability simulator for Web designers to have such experiences at authoring time. It also automatically detects accessibility and usability problems.
Ongoing

Last updated: 20/12/2007

Prof. Peter A. Aspinall
Department of Building Engineering and Surveying, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, Scotland.
Tel: +44 131 449 5111
Fax: +44 131 451 3161
Email: p.aspinall@hw.ac.uk
Web: www.hw.ac.uk/bdgwww/staff/
Publications

Current & recent projects

Visual and quality of life benefits from cataract surgery in patients with age related macular degeneration.
Image analysis in age related macular degeneration.
Measuring changes at the optic nerve head in glaucoma: a new parameter of "spikiness".
Quality of life in glaucoma
Photodynamic therapy and quality of life in age related macular degeneration.
GIS mapping of support facilities for visually impaired people.
Attitudes to low vision service provision.
Glare disability and its practical consequences for patients with glaucoma.
An auditory location finder (ALF) for visually impaired people.
An electronic guide dog - how new technology helps visually impaired people.

Last updated: 20/12/2007