Research

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K

Kurt A. Kaczmarek
University of Wisconsin, Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering,1300 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States of America.
Tel: +1 608 265 3756
Fax: +1 608 265 3757
Email: kakaczma@facstaff.wisc.edu
Web: kaz.med.wisc.edu/
Publications

Current & recent projects

Electrotactile sensory magnitude and quality
Electrical stimulation of touch (electrotactile or electrocutaneous stimulation) has shown promise for a wide variety of applications in which information is presented tactually to human users. These include sensory prostheses for people with serious visual and auditory impairments, as well as for those who have lost tactile sensation on some cutaneous loci due to traumatic nerve injury or disease, and also for advanced robotic surgical techniques and other applications. The current research aims to study the intensive and qualitative psychophysics of this unique method of information display, and specifically to: (1) Characterize the dynamic range of the electrotactile percept as a function of physical stimulus parameters, particularly those (such as cutaneous locus and hydration) that historically have made it difficult to control the electrotactile percept, and (2) Characterize the qualitative or subjective nature of the electrotactile percept (“tactile color”) as a function of waveform timing. These results will enable our future goal of developing specific stimulus control schemes and stimulus parameters that maximize the dynamic range and controllability of the electrotactile percept.
Project start date: 07/2004
Project end date: 06/2008

Last updated: 21/01/2008

Dr Hiroyuki Kajimoto
Room 508, Faculty of Engineering, Bldg#1, 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
Tel: +81 3 5841 6917
Fax: +81 3 5841 8601
E-mail: Hiroyuki_Kajimoto@ipc.i.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Web: www.star.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/

Current & recent projects

Vision-Based Sensor for Real-Time Measuring of Surface Traction Fields
When force is applied to the surface of the skin, the human sense of touch detects not only its magnitude but also its direction, which is essential information for daily tasks. To convey this versatile ability to the realm of personal computing, the GelForce tactile sensor measures in real time a surface traction field or a distribution of 3D force vectors applied to an elastic body.

Electrocutaneous Display as an Interface to a Virtual Tactile World
We have proposed and developed a tactile display that uses electrical current as a stimulus.The main characteristic of this display is that each type of mechanoreceptors is stimulated separately so that "tactile primary colors" are defined. In this paper, we fabricated a 4x4 array electrode system, presented surface roughness, pattern, and relative motion.

Last updated: 21/01/2008

Dr. Jill Keeffe, Associate Prof.
Centre for Eye Research Australia, Locked Bag 8, East Melbourne 8002, Australia.
Tel: +61 3 9929 8375
Fax: +61 3 9662 3859
Email: jillek@unimelb.edu.au or cerainfo-phd@unimelb.edu.au
Web: www.cera.org.au
Publications

Current & recent projects

The Development of a Model for Support Services for Children with Low Vision
Co-workers: Gillian Cochrane (PhD Research Student), Dr Ecosse Lamoureux
The aim of the project is to develop a model to assist national planning of support services for children with low vision. The objectives are:

To identify the elements that indicate need in children with low vision by simple and innovative tests combined with a newly developed quality of life questionnaire (specific to children with low vision).
To quantify and differentiate the needs of children with low vision.
To use the results to develop a model that can be used for national planning of support services for children with low vision.

Project start date: May 2003
Project end date: June 2006

Low Vision Project in Fiji
Co-workers: RoseAnne Misajon, Richard Le Mesurier, Andreas Muller, Shiao-Lan Chou, Gillian Cochrane, Ecosse Lamoureux, Melanie Larrizza, Leanne Mazzoni
In this ongoing project eye care services, especially in low vision and diabetic retinopathy will be developed as services integrated into the eye and health care system, documented and evaluated. The models of services need to be evaluated from an economic perspective and with culturally appropriate outcome measures.
The tools for cost effectiveness of eye care and rehabilitation program need to be completed to evaluate existing and new programs. Vision specific utilities need to be established using tools designed to be sensitive to vision impairment.
Whilst Vision 2020 has developed strategies for the planning an implementation of eye care projects to reach the goal of the "Right to Sight', no such strategies exist for Education for All 2015 for children with impaired vision. In this new project we will develop a model of education and rehabilitation services for children with impaired vision.

Vision Impairment and Low Vision - Burden of Eye Disease-Impact of Vision Impairment Profile (IVI)
Co-workers: Jenny Hassell, Ecosse Lamoureux, John Ferraro
The final stage of this project is to assess the outcomes of rehabilitation. Following the extraction of information from rehabilitation agency files regarding the participant's rehabilitation program, the IVI project is currently working on the statistical analysis of the data collected from those who undertook rehabilitation programs and agreed to the follow up study (242 participants). A detailed database and manual have also been constructed and an additional section is now being added to include summary information from the participants' low vision clinic files and detailed progress notes of rehabilitation programs provided to individuals.
Papers planned are: Who needs low vision care, A detailed description of low vision rehabilitation intervention provided to participants, Outcome of rehabilitation programs, Before and after paper pertinent to the impact of different eye conditions eg amd and a reduced version of the IVI for clinical use.

Economic Evaluation of Rehabilitation Programs for People with Impaired Vision
Co-workers: RoseAnne Misajon, Shiao-Lan Chou, Melanie Larizza, Jennifer Hassell, Leanne Mazzoni, Cheryl Leung
The development of VisQoL (Vision & Quality of Life index) project is currently in its main phase, which involves 360 Time-Trade-Off (TTO) Interviews. The final version of VisQoL and the TTO vignettes were completed near the end of 2003, and the main study began immediately after.
The results of the TTO interviews will provide the data to calculate the utility weights for each item, and determine the final utility value. In addition, an AMS student was involved in looking at the use of VisQoL as a tool for measuring quality of life among people with refractive error. The findings indicate that it is sensitive to vision-related changes to life quality due to refractive error, and hence is suitable to use in developing a vision utility value.
The indirect cost for people with vision impairment study has moved into the final phase. Following the completion of the ending-questionnaire interviews, a few case studies will be conducted to some participants, this will conclude the data collection of this study.
A diary scoring manual and a database have been developed. Six months of cost data have been analyzed from participants who have returned completed diaries for twelve months. The results have been presented at the ARVO conference in April 2004 in USA. From the analysis, results indicate that people with impaired vision are experiencing significant vision related expenditure but with a large range.

Last updated: 11/9/2006

Prof. John M. Kennedy
University of Toronto, Department of Life Sciences, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada.
Tel: +1 416 287 7435
Fax: +1 416 287 7642
Email: kennedy@utsc.utoronto.ca
Web: www.utsc.utoronto.ca/
Publications

Current & recent projects

Touch and Pictures

Drawing ability develops in blind children much as it does in young sighted children.
The blind understand aspects of perspective, including vantage points, projection and convergence, since the haptic environment involves directions.
Metaphoric features of shape in depiction are understood by the blind and the sighted.
Passive haptic perception of raised line drawings is superior to active perception.

Vision and Pictures

Development of perspective drawing shows frontal views, then foreshortening and then convergence.
Outline creates untaught perceptual effects in vision and touch.
Line depicts surface relief. Absence of a positive contour and presence of a negative contour prevents outline from showing shape-from-shadow.
Vision uses an approximation to perspective -- a pseudoperspective function.

Information and Illusion

Illusions are dispelled from suitable vantage-points.
Distribution of visual information around an object contour should be regular for efficient recognition.
Illusions combine with additive results. Veridical information is not additive - it is affirmative.

Contour

Subjective contour brightness is due to centre-surround effects.

Last updated: 31/10/2007

Dan Kish
Blind Children's Learning Center, 18542-B Vanderlip Avenue, Santa Ana, California 92705, United States of America.
Tel: +1 714 573 8888
Email: dan.kish@blindkids.org
Web: www.worldaccessfortheblind.org
Publications

Current & recent projects

Sonic Echolocation
This refers to the emission of signals in the audible spectrum which reflect off the environment and return to the listener. The listener extracts images from this reflected energy. WAFTB are currently at work on a device called the SoundFlash to enhance sonic echolocation. This device emits a brief signal which has been designed to elicit the highest quality echoes so that users can develop the clearest possible image of the environment.
Ongoing

Vision prosthesis
WAFTB is exploring the development of a true, vision prosthesis, or set of prosthetic devices. An applied research collaborative is been formed with multiple tech development companies and universities to this end. The system would address the needs of the blind and partially sighted by serving the major functions of vision. It would be based on alternative sensing and sensory extension technologies, current knowledge about human sensory and neural functioning, and instructional and therapeutic strategies. Sensing technologies explored would include sound and ultrasound, optics, and radar. Signal processing and information display will be very carefully explored and developed.
Ongoing

Last updated: 21/01/2008

Elaine Kitchel, Research Scientist
American Printing House for the Blind, 1839 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0085, United States of America.
Tel: + 1 502 223 1839
Fax: + 1 502 899 2313
Email: ekitchel@aph.org
Web: www.aph.org/
Publications

Current & recent projects

Address: Earth: Large Format Color Atlas
The atlas is designed especially for persons with low vision who are consumers of large formats. Maps, charts, texts and photos have been designed with the low vision user in mind. Section One of Address: Earth became available in Sept. 2007.
For more information, please visit: www.aph.org/advisory/2007adv08.html#P9
Project start date: 2001
Project end date: Ongoing

ToAD: Tools for Assessment and Development of Vision
ToAD is a set of materials designed to provide the practitioner with tools to perform functional vision assessments and visual skills development activities with young children. ToAD includes specially-designed light sources, reflective materials, materials for object identification, sequencing, and classification. Suggested activities for assessment and visual skills development were written and are included.
Project start date: 2004
Project end date: 2007

Light and Low Vision
A set of materials designed to teach practitioners how to assess existing lighting and recommend appropriate lighting for persons with visual impairments. Light and Low Vision shows the practitioner how to individualize lighting in order to provide the exact illumination needed by a particular person.
Project start date: 1980s
Project end date: Updated yearly

Last updated: 15/11/2007

Prof. Roberta L. Klatzky
354K Baker Hall, Faculty Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburg, PA 15213.
Tel: +1 412 268 8026
Fax: +1 412 268 2798
Email: klatzky@cmu.edu
Web: www.psy.cmu.edu/
Publications

Current & recent projects

Haptic face processing
Co-worker(s): Susan Lederman (PI)
Tadoma is the method used successfully by a few deaf-blind people to monitor speech tactually by placing their hands over the speaker's face. Although Tadoma proficiency is rare, it confirms that manual contact with the face constitutes a very informative input channel. Similarly, recent work confirms that neurologically intact people can recognize live faces and masks by hand; moreover, this ability is not limited to a few trained users. Thus, face processing is not unique to vision. A future goal is to develop a basic understanding of how healthy people tactually process faces in terms of their identity, and whether/how they can recognize facial expressions (e.g., happy). Our results may offer a new diagnostic tool (e.g., prosopagnosia) and permit us to monitor the progression of diseases with primary emotional disorders involving processing facial signals (schizophrenia, depression, autism, Alzheimer's), and emotional disorders due to motor problems (e.g., Parkinson's, Huntington's). Our results may be used to help train young blind children how to facially express their emotions more effectively. In addition, they may contribute toward the development of new touch technologies for improving social and aesthetic communication in the blind, including those who develop age-related macular degeneration.
Project Start date: 2005
Project end date: 2010

Quantitative analysis of 3D haptic performance and perception
Co-worker(s): R. Hollis (PI)
The project concerns high-performance haptic (sense of touch) interaction with three-dimensional (3D) computed (virtual) and real environments. The principal research objective is to quantitatively determine how much reality is achievable in 3D haptic/visual virtual and remote real environments. The approach is based on six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) haptic interaction technology using Lorentz magnetic levitation. Both proprioceptive (kinesthetic) senses of the fingers, hand, and wrist as well as the tactile senses in the skin are involved in the interaction. Lorentz levitation provides higher bandwidths and motion resolutions than are available with traditional technologies. The project includes i) adding direct force-torque sensing, combining favorable aspects of both impedance- and admittance-type devices; ii) the creation of a highly realistic 3D peg-in-hole virtual environment; iii) development of an elastic deformation environment with buckling phenomena; iv) comparison of subjects' interaction with virtual, real, and remote-real environments, and v) performance of a suite of psychophysical experiments to quantitatively measure the degree of reality provided. The quantitative characterization of haptic interaction transparency afforded by this approach contrasts markedly with pure engineering measurements or purely subjective evaluations. The research results provide knowledge for the engineering science of haptic interface design while helping to elucidate the nature of the human haptic interaction process. This could lead to the future widespread use of haptic technology for computer augmented design, medical training, telemanipulation and telepresence systems, vehicle piloting simulation, and the exploration of complex multi-dimensional data sets. The project has an important educational impact which includes the study of haptics in undergraduate and graduate course work.
Project start date: 2004
Project end date: 2007

Wayfinding Technologies for People with Visual Impairments: Research and Development of an Integrated Program.
Co-worker(s): Michael May
This project is designed to strengthen the foundations of wayfinding technology for assisting blind and visually impaired individuals to travel safely and independently. The aim is to address some of the fundamental issues that will inform future technology solutions and interventions. What information do blind and visually impaired travelers really want and need for safe independent travel? Why is there such an extreme range in navigational facility within the visually impaired population? What are the upper limits of the information that can be gained from traditional Orientation and Mobility training and environmental cues? How are the subtle auditory cues affected in subpopulations with different types of hearing loss? How should wayfinding performance, and barriers to it, be quantified so that future progress can be measured? What is the role of advance travel planning? By pursuing answers to these fundamental questions, the aim is to provide a research-based foundation to inform and improve: 1) O&M instructional strategies; 2) the design of new wayfinding technologies; and 3) future research.
Project start date: 2001
Project end date: 2007

Last updated: 22/01/2008

Dr. D. W. Kline
2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
Tel: +1 403 220 3600
Fax: +1 403 282 8249
Email: donkline@ucalgary.ca
Web: www.psych.ucalgary.ca/
Publications

Current & recent projects

Study of the neural and optical mechanisms underlying age-related visual change, the impact of visual change on the lives of aging persons, and the relationships between visual health, eye surgery, well-being.
Ongoing

Last updated: 22/01/2008

Prof. Aart C. Kooijman
University of Groningen, School of Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences, Laboratory for Experimental Opthalmology, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands.
Tel: +31 (0) 50 361 2165
Email: a.c.kooijman@rug.nl
Publications

The functionality of route information for visually impaired and blind people
Co-worker(s): F.J.J.M. Steyvers
Accessible route information is an essential requirement for everyone travelling independently. Street signs, departure schedules, signposts are of great help and recently GPS systems have become available with affordable prices. Dynamic information about departure times and departure platforms of buses and trains are common practice. The design of most information system is based on the vision of the designer and sometimes on the characteristics of normal seeing people. Obviously, blind people are not able to read the information on the signs and are dependent on scarcely available spoken information. Mostly, visually impaired people will have a low visual acuity combined with a low contrast sensitivity and have extra difficulties to find and to read signs that do e not have a high and recognizable contrast with the environment.
Ongoing

Making route information accessible for visually and blind people.
This project is divided in two sub-projects:
Sub-project A: specify the requirements on the design of information signs to achieve legibility for visually impaired people to a specified level of impairment and
Sub-project B: assess the functionality of audible destination and environmental information for orientation and mobility in a public building and specify requirements on the human interface of the design.
Project start date: 01/01/2003
Project end date: 31/12/2008

Last updated: 21/01/2008

Prof. Vladimir Kulyukin
Computer Science Assistive Technology Laboratory, Department of Computer Science, Utah State University, 4205 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-4205, United States of America.
Tel: +1 435 797 8163
Email: vladimir.kulyukin@usu.edu
Web: www.cs.usu.edu/
Publications

Current & recent projects

ShopTalk
Shoptalk is a wearable system for independent small-scale (no more than 10 items) shopping by individuals with visual impairments. The target population is independent travelers with visual impairments (eye acuity of 20/200 or worse and/or field of 20 degrees or less). Independent travelers with visual impairments are individuals who aspire to greater independence and are highly competent in applying technical O&M skills to personal situations independently. The central
hypothesis of the system is that verbal route directions and barcode scans are sufficient for independent blind shopping.

The Blind Leading the Blind: Toward Collaborative Online Route Information Management by Individuals with Visual Impairments
The long-term objective of our project is to discover the fundamental principles underlying the collaborative production, sharing, and management of route information by travelers with visual impairments. The specific research hypothesis is two-fold: 1) people with varied levels of vision loss and orientation and mobility (O&M) skills will be able to form online social networks that collaboratively manage large route information collections for different geographic areas, and 2) members of such networks will be able to successfully travel through a variety of previously unknown indoor and outdoor environments of varied complexity when provided with online verbal route directions referencing landmarks and path integration information salient to their particular vision and skill level.

Last updated: 31/10/2007

Dr Sri Kurniawan
School of Informatics, The University of Manchester, PO Box 88, Manchester, M60 1QD
Tel: +44 161 306 8929
Fax: +44 161 306 1281
Email: s.kurniawan@manchester.ac.uk
Web: personalpages.manchester.ac.uk/

Current & recent projects

Adapting support to sustain autonomy: understanding the implications of changing capabilities for older ICT users.
Project start date: 2006
Project end date: 2007

Investigating Accessibility Requirements for Digital TV
Project start date: 2006
Project end date: 2007

Making Mobile Phones More Useful for Older People.
Project start date: 2005
Project end date: 2005

Quantitative Modelling of Older Adults' Motor, Cognitive and Perceptual Abilities and Suitable Computer's Accessibility Level.
The project aims to collect quantitative data on older adults’ motor, cognitive and perceptual abilities through psychometric tests and to link them to a qualitative three-dimensional model called the Inclusive Design Cube, which models the relationship between those abilities and suitable computer accessibility levels.
Project start date: 2002
Project end date: 2005

Last updated: 15/02/2008