tiresias.org Skip to main content

Research

Researchers listed alphabetically by surname

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

Researchers listed by country index
Researchers listed by subject index

S

Professor Sharon Sacks
California State University, Charter College of Education, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, California 90032, United States of America.
Tel: +1 323 343 2697
Fax: +1 323 343 5605
Email: ssacks@calstatela.edu
Web: www.calstatela.edu

Current & recent projects

Co-worker: L. Penny Rosenblum (University of Arizona)
Examination of transportation experiences of teens with visual impairments and their perceptions of their futures in regard to transportation independence.

Last updated: 30/11/2004

Ken Sakamura
University of Tokyo, University Museum, 3-1 Hongo 7-chome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
Tel: +81 3 3812 2111
Fax: +81 3 3779 5753
Email: sakamura@um.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Web: www.adm.u-tokyo.ac.jp/IRS/IntroPage_E/intro69473968_e.html
Publications

Current & recent projects

TRON Enableware sub-project
TRON enableware: empowering disabled people on the BTRON environment. The TRON project has carried on research and development premised on a coming age of computer-intensive environments in which most objects will be embedded with computer elements. The project is developing enableware functions for blind people. A prototype system has been built that uses Braille for both input and output. The next issue to be addressed is how to convey the contents of screen displays to blind users, therefore the project is devoting a research effort to systems that will give voice explanations of GUI display elements for blind users.
Project start date: 01/01/98

Eliana Sampaio
Laboratoire de Psychologie du Developpement,12, rue Goethe, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
Tel: +33 390 241 965
Fax: +33 390 241 904
Email: eliana.sampaio@psycho-ulp.u-strasbg.fr

Current & recent projects

Brain plasticity: ‘visual’ acuity of blind persons via the tongue
Co-workers: Stephane Maris; Paul Bach-y-Rita
The ‘visual’ acuity of blind persons perceiving information through a newly developed human–machine interface, with an array of electrical stimulators on the tongue, has been quantified using a standard Ophthalmological test (Snellen Tumbling E). Acuity without training averaged 20/ 860. This doubled with 9 h of training. The interface may lead to practical devices for persons with sensory loss such as blindness, and offers a means of exploring late brain plasticity.

Last updated: 28/01/2002

Samuel Sandberg
Astando AB, Kanalingenjörsvillan, 545 90 Töreboda, Sweden.
Tel: +46 506 3100
Fax: +46 506 13165
Email: samuel.sandberg@astando.se
Web: www.astando.se (in Swedish)

Current & recent projects

Digital Pedestrian Project
We are developing an outdoor navigation aid for visually disabled. Via mobile phone and GPS the user may download guiding routes with extra information about roadwork, places to rest etc. The information is delivered via a server connected to the Traffic Administration. In order to offer pedestrians correct guiding instructions we have added walking paths and bicycle paths to the digitalised roadmap. We are also planning to offer technical services for indoor use and alarming functionality.

Last updated: 16/10/2006

Wendy Sapp
Vanderbilt University, 2201 West End Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States of America.
Tel: +1 615 322 7311

Current & recent projects

Cognitive mapping of large scales simple enviroinments by 8-12 year old children who are blind
This study investigates differences in using tactual maps, tactual models, or verbal descriptions on the abilities of children who are blind to develop cognitive maps of simple large scale environments. The participants will be 12-18 children who are blind with no additional disabilities who are 8-12 years old. Participants will be provided with tactual maps, tactual models, or verbal descriptions of novel environments containing 4 objects and then will point to the objects from locations in the environment. A repeated measures ANOVA will analyze the accuracy of pointing and multiple regression analysis will compare differences in the characteristics of the best and worst performers. Findings will be discussed in terms of direction for future research and implications for practitioners.

Last updated: 07/05/2002

Hirishi Sasaki
Image Processing Lab., Nara Institute of Sciences and Technology (NAIST), 8916-5 Takayama, Ikoma, Nara, 630-0101, Japan.
Tel: +81 743 72 5274
Fax: +81 743 72 5279
Email: hirosi-s@is.aist-nara.ac.jp

Current & recent projects

Wearable Computer for the Blind - aiming at a pedestrian's intelligent transport system (P-ITS)
Co-workers: Toshitaka Tateishi; Tomohiro Kuroda; Yoshitsugu Manabe; Kunihiro Chihara

Last updated: 05/11/2001

Semion Savransky
Interoptika-S Ltd, Moscow, Russia.
Tel: +095 955 5538
Fax: +195 952 1603
Email: stt@mail.cnt.ru

Current & recent projects

Optical Radar for Intrabuilding and Terrain Orientation of Blind People
The instrument is an active optical reader operating in the range of 0.85 mkm. It is designed as a handle of a walking stick commonly used by blind people. Existence of an obstacle in the radar visibility range is indicated by sound signals. The distance to a target (an obstacle), is represented as shifting frequency of sound signals of a ping-pong tone character. Sound frequency increases while a blind person approaches an obstacle. Detection sensitivity practically does not depend on nature of the obstacle (metal, concrete, wood, glass, etc.) and the operational distance is 1.5m from the device lens. Better sensitivity is possible but basing on our test results we found out that it could disorient a blind person. One change of the accumulator lasts 24 hours of non-stop work.

Last updated: 26/02/2002

Eugen Schafer (Retired)
Blista-Brailletec GmbH, Gemeinnuetzige GmbH fur Blinden-und Sehbehindertentechnik, Industriestrasse 11, Marburg Lahn 35 041, Germany.
Tel: +49 6421 8020
Fax: +49 6421 80214
Email: Brailletec@Brailletec.de
Web: www.Brailletec.de

Current & recent projects

Embossing machine. Electric braille writer. Special keyboard.
Co-worker: Mr. Manfred Harres (retired)
Development of Braille keyboards to meet the specific needs of multiple handicapped persons. Machines, equipment and accessories for taking notes, writing and printing in Braille (i.e. mechanical and electrical Braille writers). Braille printing house equipment (i.e. embossing machines).

For Brailletec please contact Rainer Hundhausen or Ulrich Clemens

Last updated: 27/02/2006

R. Schellingerhout
Developmental Psychology, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Email: schellingerhout@psych.kun.nl

Current & recent projects

Improving obstacle detection by redesign of walking canes for blind persons
Co-workers: RM Bongers, R van Grinsven, AW Smitsman, GP Van Galen
The performance of cane walkers with the traditional straight long cane and a redesigned cane, the curved cane, was compared. The curved cane has a curve where the tip touches the ground. Participants were 18 experienced cane walkers who were totally blind. The aspects of cane walking that were investigated included obstacle detection, drop-off (slope) detection and walking speed. The performance with both canes was investigated in two different ways: (1) by means of constructed courses in which objective measures of cane walking were derived; and (2) by means of more qualitative measures based on the participants' experiences with the curved cane during a 3-week try-out period. Results showed that obstacle-detection was significantly better with the curved cane, whereas drop-off detection and walking speed were comparable for the two canes. The participants' experiences mirrored these results.

Last updated: 19/12/2002

Victor Schinazi
Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Bartlett School of Graduate Studies, University College London,
1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 20 7679 1808
Fax: +44 20 7813 2843
Email: v.schinazi@ucl.ac.uk
Web: Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA): www.casa.ucl.ac.uk/people/Victor.htm
Personal web-site: www.victorschinazi.netfirms.com (This site is not entirely up to date)

Current & recent projects

The perception and cognition of space by the congenitally blind
Supervisors: Professor Michael Batty (UCL - Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis); Professor Gary Rubin (UCL - Institute of Ophthalmology).
The objective of this research is to identify how individuals who are blind or have low vision perceive and mentally represent different elements of the built environment during navigation. Research will be conducted with students from Dorton College - Royal London Society for the Blind (RLSB) and will consist of two experiments. The first experiment is designed to test the content and accuracy of mental representations of a well-known environment. Students will walk a route around the College campus and learn the position of ten building or structures. They will then be asked to make heading judgements, estimate distances, complete a spatial cued model and sequentially visit a series of locations. The second experiment will examine the strategies used to explore a complex novel environment. Students will be asked to explore a maze and learn the location of different places. Their search patterns will be coded and analyzed using GIS software. Students will be tested using the same methods as in the previous experiment and their performance level will be correlated with their exploratory patterns.

Last updated: 01/11/2005

Professor Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Schlingensiepen
Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Fachbereich Maschinentechnik, Gaußstr. 20 42097 Wuppertal, Germany.
Tel: +49 202 439 3754
Fax: +49 202 439 2031
Email: schlinge@uni-wuppertal.de
Web: www.blindenmonitor.de

Current & recent projects

The TIM-project
The TIM-project is concerned with the development and usage of the Tactile-Interactive-Monitor. The VideoTIM is a combination of TIM and a videocam. With the mini-hand-videocam you can look at various things, mostly writings and graphics. The TIM displays all this in realtime as touchable reliefs from lifted dots. The Mini-hand-videocamera of VideoTIM has a built-in light to illuminate a document. The electronic of VideoTIM automatically works out the ideal brightness. The picture you look at with the mini-hand-videocamera will be projected in realtime. That means 12 pictures per second are shown on the tactile display “TIM”. The functions of the three buttons above the tactile display are to zoom in or out, or to invert. With the regulator left hand on top of the VideoTIM-device you can adjust your individual bightness - this makes e.g. letters bigger or smaller. The VideoTIM-Display has an excellent tactile quality. Any pixel can be located exactly. TIM has an array of 256 pixels and a size of 4 x 4 cm. The dotspace is 2.5 mm. Since it uses the piezo electronic dots for its display, nothing vibrates. The user puts his hand on the VideoTIM-display. He can change between active and passive recognition. Active recognition means moving the hand over the tactile dots and the fingercups recognice the details. The picture appears as a relief. The passive recognition uses the tactile projection. The soft knocking dots stimulate pictures onto the skin of the fingers.

Last updated: 01/08/2002

Dr. Ronald Schuchard
Rehabilitation Research & Development Center, VA Medical Center, 1670 Clairmont Road, Decater, Georgia 30033-4004, United States of America.
Tel: +1 404 728 5064
Fax: +1 404 728 4837
Email: rschuch@emory.edu
Web: www.varrd.emory.edu/bios/schuchar.html
Publications

Current & recent projects

The Everyday Function and Quality of Life Association with Visual Function, Scotoma Characteristics, and PRL Ability Measures
Co-worker: D.C. Fletcher
This study determined the relative importance of visual function, scotoma characteristics, and eye movement ability on everyday function and qualuty of life.

Evaluation of Eye Movement Tracking Systems for Visual Rehabilitation
Co-worker: David Ross
The project objective is to characterize and validate the types of eye-trackers that may be most effectively employed to evaluate and assist in the rehabilitation training of people with central macular scotomas.
Project start date: 2000
Project end date: 2002

ElectroChromic (EC) Fast-Darkening Sunwear for People with AMD
Co-worker: David Ross
A thin film of electrochromic (EC) material is being developed that can be adhered to the surface of eyeglass lenses. Using small light sensors to monitor the amount of light passing through this EC film, a tiny control circuit will be used to dynamically adjust the light-absorption properties of the film to limit the range of light levels reaching the user's eyes. By limiting the dynamic range of light to which the user's eyes must adjust, a person with AMD should be able to visually perform indoor and outdoor tasks more effectively. Unlike other such technologies (e.g., transition lenses), the EC film will respond to changes in lighting in less than a second, enabling people with AMD to continue to function when they move between very bright and relatively dimly-lit areas. Further, the dynamic range of the EC material will be greater than any other available material, approximated 90% transmission (nearly clear) down to 8% transmission (very dark).
Project start date: 2001
Project end date: 2003

Last updated: 27/08/2001

H. S. Schwende
Forwiss Bavarian Research Centre for Knowledge-Based-Systems, Computer Science, Erlangen, Germany.

Current & recent projects

Emotional Image Sonification System (EMISON) for Blind and Visually; Impared Persons
Co-worker: S. H. Stoyan
Seeing an advertising placard and developing feeling for this picture is impossible for blind people. Up till now there isn't any system to reveal an emotional access to pictures for blind and visually impaired persons. The EmISon system enables an actual emotional access to images using the similarity of feeling by watching a picture and/or hearing music. The system provides complex methods for transformation of visual information in music compositions.

Last updated: 30/08/2002

Neil G. Scott
Director, Archimedes Hawaii Project, Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii, The Firehouse, 879 North King Street, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96817, United States of America.
Tel: +1 808 842 9857
Fax: +1 808 832 3724
Email: ngscott@hawaii.edu
Web: http://archimedes.hawaii.edu/Resume_Neil_Scott.htm
Publications

Current & recent projects

Archimedes Hawaii Project
Designing prototypes of devices and systems that will assist individuals with disabilities and age-related limitations; Developing new computer-based education and training strategies with a particular emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; Developing accessibility devices for blind and visually impaired people; Exploring accessibility problems in order to identify possible technical solutions and relevant scientific and policy issues; Conducting research, in conjunction with other University of Hawaii projects, on relevant scientific and educational issues.

Last updated: 27/02/2006

Dr. Barry Seemungal
Department of Movement and Balance, Imperial College, Charing Cross Hospital, London W6 8RF, United Kingdom.
Tel: 020 8383 5525
Email: b.seemungal@imperial.ac.uk

Current & recent projects

Studies on the navigation capacities and/or strategies of blind people.
Vestibular function in congenitally blind adults.

Last updated: 29/06/2006

Eric J. Seibel
HITLab, University of Washington, PO Box 352142, Seattle, Washington 98195-2142, United States of America.
Tel: +1 206 616 1486
Fax: +1 206 543 5380
Email: eseibel@hitl.washington.edu
Web: www.hotl.washington.edu/people/eseibel/
Publications

Current & recent projects

Design for Wearable Low Vision Aids
Co-workers: Thomas A Furness; Conor Kleweno; Jordan Anderson
To research the beneficial attributes of scanned laser displays for the basis of future low vision aids. Furthermore, the HIT Lab, with support from the National Science Foundation, is committed to the engineering design of low vision aids that will improve the ability of the partially sighted to more easily read printed material, watch television, use computers, or simply navigate outside.

Virtual Retinal Display (VRD) as a low-vision computer interface
Co-workers: Conor Kleweno; Thomas A Furness; Erik S Virre; John P Kelly
Examining the performance of an alternative computer visual interface, the Virtual Retinal Display (VRD), for low-vision use. The VRD scans laser light directly onto the retina, creating a virtual image. Since visually impaired users can have difficulty using computer displays, a matched comparison study was done between the VRD and the standard cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor.

Last updated: 24/09/2001

Gerard Servais
Ligue Braille - Institution Nationale pour le Bien des Aveugles et Des Handicapes de la Vue, rue d' Angleterre 57, Brussels B-1060, Belgium.
Tel: +32 2 5333211
Fax: +32 2 5376426
Email: gerard.servais@braille.se
Web: www.braille.be

Current & recent projects

Study on the cultural aspects of seeing and blindness
Co-workers: Raoul Dutry; Francoise Herbecq-Hardy; Carl Havelange; Bruno Liesen; Zima Weygand.
Multidisciplinary research relating to the cultural aspects of vision, and the contribution of blind persons to literature, religion and art.
Project start date: 01/01/90

Last updated: 02/12/2004

Antje Seyd
Hamburg School for the Blind and Partially Sighted, Carl-Cohn Strasse 2, Hamburg D-22297, Germany.
Tel: +49 40 51 43 11 0
Fax: +49 40 51 43 11 44
Email: blindseh@aol.com

Current & recent projects

Setting up a mailbox system: Improving the quality of life for visually impaired people by using the Internet
Co-workers: Kari Korhonen; Peter Rodney; Roy Scholey
The main aim of this project is to improve the lives of the target group of students by using the Internet in order to 1. develop a Home Page at each of the institutions for learner use; 2. encourage the use of Email: between students at the 4 sites; 3. through discussion between students in the 4 countries encourage social integration.
Project start date: 01/07/96
Project end date: 31/07/98

Mohsen Shahinpoor
Artificial Muscles Research Institute (AMRI), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States of America.
Tel: +1 505 975 0888
Fax: +1 505 277 1571
Email: shah@unm.edu
Web: www.unm.edu/~amri/

Current & recent projects

Smart Eye Band
Development of an artificial muscle which would be stitched to the sclera, the tough white outer part of the eyeball, and activated by an electromagnet in a hearing-aid-sized unit fitted behing one ear. Tightening the smart eye band cause the eye to elongate, pushing the retina in long-sighted people backwards, bringing close-up objects back into focus. Expanding the eye band causes the eyeball to shorten, bringing the retina forward to intersect with the focused light, making far off images sharp again for short-sighted people.

Bionic Eyes
Researchers have created the implantable Artificial Retina Component Chip (ARCC), which would allow the blind to see. The ARCC consists of a silicon microchip embedded with photosensor cells and electrodes. It would be implanted near the vision center of the retina. Light and images entering the pupil would pass through the ARCC's front surface and strike photosensors on the back of the chip. The photosensor array would convert the image pattern of light and dark into electric impulses, much as a healthy eye's rods and cones do. The impulses would stimulate nerves behind the retina, sending the information to the brain.

Last updated: 30/04/2002

Steve Shaw
Transport Research and Consultancy (TRaC), London Metropolitan University, Stapleton House, 277 - 281 Holloway Road, London N7 8HN, United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 20 7753 5754
Email: s.shaw@londonmet.ac.uk
Web: www.londonmet.ac.uk/depts/bssm/research/trac-research/traccurrentprojects.cfm

Current & recent projects

AUNT-SUE (Accessibility and User Needs in Transport Consortium. Towards a Sustainable Urban Environment)
Co-workers: Loughborough University (UK); University College London (UK); University of Westminster (UK); Royal National Institute of the Blind (UK); Hertfordshire County Council (UK); London Borough of Camden (UK).
The aim of the research is to produce rigorous methodologies to develop and test sustainable policies and practises that will deliver effective socially inclusive design and operation in urban transport and the public realm from macro down to micro level.

Last updated: 16/03/2004

Dr. G. Fraser Shein
Bloorview MacMillan Children's Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto, Ontario M4G 1R8, Canada.
Tel: +1 416 424 3855 Ext. 3538
Fax: +1 416 425 1634
Email: fshein@bloorviewmacmillan.on.ca
Web: www.wivik.com; www.wordq.com; www.bloorviewmacmillan.on.ca
Publications

Current & recent projects

Products developed and commercialized:

1) WordQ(tm) word prediction and speech output writing software

WordQ software (www.wordq.com) is a writing tool for people of all ages who have difficulty writing. It is used along with standard Windows word processors and other applications. State-of-the-art word prediction suggests words when you have trouble spelling or choosing the right word. As you write, text-to-speech feedback provides ongoing cues of what you are writing. A simple text-reading mode helps you proofread. With Microsoft(r) Word, WordPad, Notepad or Outlook, text can be highlighted and read aloud within that application.

WordQ continuously presents a list of correctly spelled words as you type. When you see the word that you want to use, you can choose it with a single keystroke. You can also display a word with its different word endings. If you need help deciding which word to use, each word can be read aloud before you make a selection.

While not designed explicitly for persons with visual disabilities, WordQ includes a number of features for those with low vision, including basic screenreading capabilities, keyboard-only access, and compatibility with alternate display modes (e.g. high-contrast).

2) SpeakQ(tm) speech recognition plug-in to WordQ

SpeakQ (www.wordq.com) plugs into WordQ software and adds simple speech recognition. It helps users who cannot use other speech recognition products because of reading demands and complexity.

SpeakQ features a simple speech recognition training interface where the computer prompts you by voice what to say. You can then dictate directly into any document or dictate into WordQ's prediction list. Your speech is combined with the word prediction. Everything that the computer recognizes is spoken back to you. To keep it simple, there are no verbal commands. You only dictate text.

With SpeakQ, you can do everything that WordQ does, plus you can write by speaking. At any time you have the choice of typing with the keyboard, using word prediction, or speaking straight into your text. Speech recognition and word prediction are integrated to enhance the effectiveness of each other.

Last updated: 27/02/2006

Professor D. Sheldon
Enterprise & Innovation Office, Anglia Polytechnic University, Rivermead Campus, Bishop Hall Lane Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1SQ, United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 01245 493131
Fax: +44 1245 269488
Email: d.f.sheldon@apu.ac.uk
Web: www.timp.org.uk/

Current & recent projects

Integrated user-centred design and manufacturing process for generating tactile maps using innovative print technology
Co-workers: Professor Helen Petrie, Centre for Human Computer Interaction Design (CHCID) - City University, London, UK; Dr Sarah Morley and Dave Gunn, National Centre for Tactile Diagrams (NCTD) - University of Hertfordshire, UK
This project has the following aims: To establish principles for the design of tactile maps that are grounded in research on tactile perception and non-visual spatial cognition, and that can be generalized to all types of tactile diagram; To design a pool of tactile map symbols (point, line and area) that take maximum advantage of the new tactile print technology, consistent with the cognitively based principles; To evaluate the pool of tactile map symbols with a heterogeneous sample of blind and visually impaired people to determine their effectiveness in terms of identification, discriminability, and aesthetic qualities, and to test the tactile maps generated from these symbols in ecologically valid real world tasks; To develop a template using the principles that permits the proposal of a set of standards for sets of map symbols, and their configuration; To assess whether it is possible to design materials that are inclusive, being effective for both sighted and visually impaired people.
Part of the Tactile Inkjet Mapping Project: www.enterprise.anglia.ac.uk/access/tact/tact06.html
Project start date: 01/01/2003
Project end date: 31/12/2005

Last updated: 17/03/2004

Professor Tadayoshi Shioyama
Room 10-501D, Measurement System Laboratory, Hashigamicho, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan.
Email: shioyama@kit.ac.jp

Current & recent projects

Electronic "eye"
Co-workers: Mohammad Uddin
This system, which can be mounted on a pair of glasses, can detect the existence of a pedestrian crossing in front of a blind person using a single camera. When combined with two other techniques the researchers have produced, for measuring the width of the road and the colour of traffic lights, a single camera can now give the blind all the information they need to cross a road in safety.

The camera would be mounted at eye level, and be connected to a tiny computer. It will relay information using a voice speech system and give vocal commands and information through a small speaker placed near the ear.

Last updated: 12/9/2006

K. Shiraki
Osaka City University Medical School, Osaka, Japan.
Email: shirakik@msci.med.osaka-cu.ac.jp

Current & recent projects

Device for a Low Vision Aid: Retina Projection System with Maxwellian View
Co-workers: T. Yasunari, H. Tabuchi, T. Miki, T. Ando, H. Nakamura, S. Yamaguchi, E. Shimizu
To develop a new device, Retina Projection System, for a low vision aid with the Maxwellian view and to compare the new system with a face-mounted display for reading.

Last updated: 02/09/2002

Sudhir Bikram Shrestha
Navanepal Organization, National Federation of the Disabled Nepal (NFDN), House No-39, Banepa-8, Kavre, Nepal.
Tel: +977 9841 2509 49
Email: sudhirbikram@gmail.com
Web: www.sudhirbikram.com
Publications

Current & recent projects

ICT for Social Inclusion of People With Disabilities (PWDs): Special Reference to People with Visual Impairment (PWVI)
The purpose of this study is to investigate how ICT can be used for the social Inclusion of
the People with Disabilities, more specifically People with Visual Impairment
Project start date: 01/09/2007
Project end Date: 01/09/2008

Nepali Braille Converter System
Nepali Braille Converter System helps end users to translate Nepali script into Nepali
Braille script. It also has a printing feature to print the translated Nepali
Braille output. It can also translate digital textual Nepali documents into Nepali
Braille. A speech feature is also integrated into in it, which is still at preliminary stage, so
when PWVI use this software it will alert the users via speech what text/characters they
are typing. For Low vision users it has colour and font options.
Project start date:12/06/2007
Project end Date: 12/05/2008

Accessible Website Project for PWVI
First Nepali website supporting web accessibility guidelines. It has Nepali web accessibility guidelines for PWVI website developers.
http://www.nawbnepal.org
Project start date: 01/08/2007
Project end date: 01/12/2007

Localisation of DAISY TALKING BOOK PLAYBACK SOFTWARE: AMIS
Localisation of AMIS in Nepali
Project start date: 01/05/2007
Project end date: 10/05/2007

Last updated: 31/10/2007

Dena Shumila
Adaptive Technology Resource Centre, 130 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H1, Canada.
Tel: +1 416 946 3001
Fax: +1 416 971 2629
Email: dena.shumila@utoronto.ca

Current & recent projects

Development of Accessible Virtual Reality Modelling Language (VRML); web browsing and HTML authoring tools that are accessible for persons with visual impairments. Presentation of learning materials in alternate formats, such as electronic text, CD-ROM, audio and tactile.

Last updated:

Daniel P. Siewiorek
Room 3519 Newell-Simon Hall, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213-3891, United States of America.
Tel: +1 412 268 2570
Fax: +1 412 268 1266
Email: dps@cs.cmu.edu
Web: www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~dps/

Current & recent projects

Design of a wearable tactile display
Co-workers: Francine Gemperle, Nathan Ota

Last updated: 08/10/2001

Assistant Professor Rich Simpson
5034 Forbes Tower, University of Pittsburgh, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, United States of America.
Tel: +1 412 383 6593
Fax: +1 412 383 6535
Email: ris20@pitt.edu
Web: http://www.shrs.pitt.edu/CMS/School/Faculty_Bio.asp?id=113
Publications

Current & recent projects

Research Interests:

My research interest is human-machine interaction, with an emphasis on technology for people with disabilities. One aspect of my research is the development of intelligent mobility aids that combine traditional mobility aids (manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, walkers) and robotics technology (sensors, processors, navigation and collision avoidance algorithms).

Advances in technology, including sensors and processors, are making it possible to develop products that dramatically increase the independence and functionality of individuals with disabilities. A key challenge for developers of technology is to create products that people want because they solve real problems.

Last updated: 6/9/2006

Marco Sironi
European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen - SILab, Via E. Fermi 1, 21020 ISPRA (VA), Italy
Tel. + 39 0332 78 5754
Fax + 39 0332 78 9431
Email: marco.sironi@jrc.it
Web: http://voice.jrc.it/sesamonet/proposal_en.htm

Current & recent projects

SESAMONET (A Secure and Safe Mobility NETwork)
Project Co-workers: Graziano Azzalin; Marco Barboni; Giuliano Pirelli

SESAMONET has been developed at the European Commission Joint Research Centre, to improve the mobility of visually impaired people.

The idea consists of using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) passive transponders (i.e. micro chips) to create a path guiding a visually impaired person through a location. Based on passive transponders, the RFID path does not need any electric power supply and can be easily installed in areas such as parks, pedestrian areas, town centres, buildings, etc.

The working principles of the system are as follows:

Last updated: 31/10/2007

Dr. Judith Sixsmith
Manchester Metropolitan University, Division of Psychology and Social Change, Elizabeth Gaskell Campus, Hathersage Road, Manchester M13 0JA, UK.
Tel: +44 161 247 2569
Web: www.psychology.mmu.ac.uk/contact/contact_home.htm

Current & recent projects

Experiences and Uses of Technology in Older Age
This preparatory network focuses on three themes: Autonomy and Independence, the Built and Technical Environment, and Locality, Place and Participation. It brings together experts from a range of academic, public and private organizations with older potential users to explore the individual, social, engineering and political contexts in which technologies are located.
Project start date: 01/04/2007
Project end date: 01/04/2008

Last updated: 19/03/2008

Professor Johan Sjöstrand MD PhD
Dept. of Ophthalmology, Goteborg University, SE-431 80 Molndal, Sweden.
Tel: +46 31 3433254
Fax: +46 31 412904
Email: johan.sjostrand@oft.gu.se
Web: www.oft.gu.se/

Current & recent projects

Research interests:

Last updated: 15/09/2006

Calle Sjöström
Certec, Lund University, PO Box 118, S-221 00 Lund, Sweden.
Tel: +46 46 222 40 38
Fax: +46 46 222 44 31
E-mail: Calle.Sjostrom@certec.lth.se
Web: www.certec.lth.se/english/staff/calle/
Publications

Current & recent projects

Haptic Line-Drawings for Blind Persons
Co-workers: H. Danielsson, C. Magnusson, K. Rassmus_Gròhn

The Phantasticon
Co-worker: K. Rassmus_Gròhn
Combining haptic interfaces and sound interfaces for people with visual impairments. The project is centered around the PHANToM, a haptic computer interface which makes it possible to feel virtual objects.

Virtual Haptic Search Tools

Last updated: 23/08/2002

Larry Skutchan
American Printing House for the Blind, PO Box 6085, Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0085, United States of America.
Tel: +1 502 899 2314
Fax: +1 502 899 2334
Email: lskutchan@aph.org
Web: www.aph.org/edresearch/skutchan.htm
Publications

Current & recent projects

Create high quality software and hardware for blind children and adults; Audio Graphics.

Last updated: 14/09/2001

Mr. Jim Slater
Slater Electronic Services, 17 Winterslow Road, Porton, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0LW, United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 1980 610 544
Fax: +44 1980 610 544
Email: Jim.Slater@SlaterElectronics.com
Web: www.slaterelectronics.com
Publications

Current & recent projects

Co-worker: Dr. John Gill
Studies on the potential use of telecommunications for transmitting talking books for blind persons.

TIDE SATURN project
Using smart cards to improve the usability of bank terminals.

SNAPI
Using smart cards to enable disabled and elderly users to operate ticket machines, telecommunications devices and digital TV equipment.

Last updated: 31/10/2007

Fiona Slevin
The Tower, Trinity Enterprise Centre, Pearce Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Tel: +353 1 635 9775
Fax: +353 1 677 5487
Email: fiona.slevin@haptica.com
Web: www.haptica.com

Current & recent projects

Guido - Mobility support system using advanced robotics and artificial intelligence
Co-worker: Dr. Gerard Lacey
Guido aims to give people with reduced vision and mobility the combined guidance of a guide-rail (guide dog or cane) and the physical support they would get from a person or walking frame. It uses a sensing system to build up a map of its immediate environment and using artificial intelligence it combines data from the sensors with informatiuon about the device and the user's movement then selects the clear path closest to the user's goal.
Project start date: 01/06/1999
Project end date: 01/03/2002

Smart Walking Frame
Co-worker: Dr. Gerard Lacey
Development of a smart walking frame that gives frail, visually-impaired people the confidence to walk independently and helps them regain a degree of self-sufficiency and physical fitness. The Walker leads the user safely to their destination through a unique combination of robust physical support and navigation assistance via sensors and voice. Sensors in the Walker feed information about the environment to the device and to the user. This information is built dynamically - not from a prior map - which means that the Walker can be used immediately in any appropriate setting. The sensors identify landmarks around the robot such as left and right turns, t-junctions and obstacles and announces these landmarks using voice messages. The Walker has a sophisticated but simple user interface designed specifically with the frail, elderly in mind: in user trials, people have learned use the walker independently in less than 15 minutes. Haptica aim to have the Walker on the market in Autumn 2001.
Project start date: 10/2000
Project finish date: 10/2001

Last updated: 19/04/2001

Mr Alexander Smith
Technical Director, Smart Technology Limited, Birmingham, England.
Tel: +44 (0)1675 467900
Fax: +44 (0)1675 467910
E-mail: alex@smarttec.co.uk
Web: www.itacti.com

Current & recent projects

The aim of the ItactI project is to develop a novel interactive display that will facilitate access for visually impaired people to the modern Information Technology (IT) world. Graphical user interfaces for PC's and almost all types of modern communication are now widely used. This project will enable wider accessibility and improved quality of interaction with electronic information for the visually impaired and blind. The new tactile graphical display will make it possible to further integrate the visually impaired population into the Information Society, improving their access to many resources, including internet pages, by offering a more natural and effective display.

Innovation:

Project start date: 1/8/2001
Project end date: 31/1/2005

Last updated: 05/09/2006

Dr Audrey Smith (PhD)
Pennsylvania College of Optometry, 8360 Old York Road, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania 19027-1598, United States of America.
Email: nancy@pco.edu
Web: www.pco.edu/faculty/smith.htm

Current & recent projects

Low vision optical devices.
Low vision orientation and mobility

Last updated: 01/11/2001

Professor Takao Someya (PhD)
Organization Quantum-Phase Electronics Center, School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
Tel: +81 3 5841 6828
Fax: +81 3 5841 6828
E-mail: someya@ap.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Web: www.ntech.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/About_us/About_us_top/About_us_top_en.html

Current & recent projects

Professor Someya has developed a thin flexible polymer pocket-sized Braille display. Polymer cantilevers push up 0.9mm radius dots through a membrane to form a Braille display. Response time is 0.9 seconds.

Last updated: 30/01/2006

Mark Spitzer
The MicroOptical Corporation, 33 Southwest Park Westwood, Massachusetts 02090, United States of America.
Tel: +1 781 326 8111 Ext. 101
Fax: +1 781 326 4110
Email: mspitzer@microopticalcorp.com
Web: www.microopticalcorp.com
Publications

Current & recent projects

Video Display for the Visually Impaired.

Last updated: 10/09/2001

Dr. T. Sreeram
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
Tel: +91 61 8 9380 3069
Fax: +91 61 8 9380 1065
Email: sreeram@ee.uwa.edu.au
Web: www.ee.uwa.edu.au/~sreeram/

Current & recent projects

Development of systems for teaching Braille.

Last updated: 03/09/2001

Professor Agneta Ståhl
Lund University, Department of Technology and Society, Division of Traffic Planning, Box 118, S 221 00 Lund, Sweden.
Tel: +46 46 222 91 32
Fax: +46 46 12 32 72
Email: agneta.stahl@tft.lth.se

Current & recent projects

Research interests:

Last updated: 18/9/2006

Scott Stoffel
Temple University, College of Engineering, E & CC Department, 1801 North Broad Street, Philadelphia 19122, United States of America.
Tel: +1 215 204 7000
Email: engineer@blue.temple.edu
Web: www.temple.edu

Current & recent projects

Computer-automated Braille System
This system makes use of large-print Braille six pins, which are raised and lowered to represent the dots of Braille combinations, and a stationary monitor that scrolls in place. The system's software moves the six pins, which are push-type tubular solenoids, in the proper sequence to create the individual Braille letters. A prototype is being developed.

Last updated: 16/05/2001

Professor Sven Strömqvist
Department of Linguistics and Phonetics, Lund University, P.O. Box 201, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden.
Tel: +46 46 222 0389
Fax: +46 46 222 4210
Email: Sven.Stromqvist@ling.lu.se
Web: www.ling.lu.se/persons/Sven/

Current & recent projects

Finger Tracking System
Co-workers: Björn Breidegard; Bodil Jönsson
Using eye-tracking technology, a newly developed automatic finger tracking system makes it possible to reconstruct blind people’s tactile reading in real time and to automatically analyze finger movements during Braille text reading and tactile picture recognition. Research results indicate how Braille readers can increase awareness of their own reading styles. This opens up for future Braille education to become more evidence-based and, at the same time, for a new research field: contrastive studies of language in its auditory, visual and tactile manifestations.

Last updated: 23/03/2006

Professor J. Graham Strong
Centre for Sight Enhancement, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
Tel: +1 519 888 4567 ext 6330
Fax: +1 519 725 0784
Email: gstrong@uwaterloo.ca
Web: www.optometry.uwaterloo.ca/people/strong/
Publications

Current & recent projects

Sight Enhancement Equipment Pool and Assessment Centre (SEEPAC)
The SEEPAC project is the largest single contract initiative within the School of Optometry. In addition to the provision of high technology low vision assessments services, the SEEPAC contract supports the operation and management of the province’s equipment inventory and loan program for the Assistive Devices Program (ADP). These activities include acquiring, storing, distributing, servicing and repairing the project’s inventory. This project is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (Assistive Devices Branch).

Rehabilitation Engineering Projects
Co-workers: Bevers, and Plotkin A
Collaborative reaserch with industry (Sight Enhancement Systems Inc.) to research and develop three new assistive device prototypes:

  1. A Spanish language iteration of the Sci-Plus Series 300 Scientific Calculator;
  2. The WatCam©, a portable enhanced camera system (autofocus and auto-iris) for people with low vision that features an array of user-tunable video image enhancement algorithms that includes contrast stretch, polarity reversal, text thresholding, freeze frame, image capture, and colourization;
  3. The “Trillium” digital reader, is the world’s first fully digital widescreen closed circuit television (CCTV) low vision reader.

Dynamic modeling of assistive device outcomes in low vision rehabilitation
Researchers: Jutai JJ, and Ariizumi H
Investigatrion of a dynamic programming approach to health economic analysis that is derived from a conceptual framework for assistive technology device outcomes research. This is a three year research project that will provide a better understanding of what works well for elderly individuals who use low vision devices and it will suggest ways to achieve these results less expensively. This research is funded by a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

Vision Rehabilitation Evidence-Based Review (VREBR)
Co-workers: Jutai J, Hooper P, Russell-Minda E, Cooper L., Hutnik C, Sheidow T, and Tingey D.
An evidence-based review of rehabilitation interventions and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Modeled after the Stroke Rehabilitation Evidence-Based Review, it is designed to serve as an authoritative reference to unmet research needs, associated with a national consortium of vision researchers, and a compelling stimulus for partnerships among agencies with allied interests in vision health. The principal collaborating institutions are the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Parkwood Hospital and the UWO), the Ivey Eye Institute (and UWO Department of Ophthalmology), and the School of Optometry at the University of Waterloo.

Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Universal Design (UD)
Co-workers: Irving, E.
The RERC-UD is based at the University of Buffalo, with secondary projects being coordinated through the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (TRI). This is a five year research program. The overall mandate is to generate strategically important research, development, education and dissemination deliverables that advance the fields of rehabilitation engineering and environmental design. The RERC-UD deliverables integrate universal design principles within the generally accepted models, methods, and metrics of design and engineering professionals in the building and manufacturing industries. Research projects document the efficacy of existing universally designed environments, and generate critical human factors data essential to resolving design and engineering problems. Development projects create evidence-based guidelines to implement universal design concepts within the tools of the design professions, and formulate methods to evaluate the usability of designs for people with mobility, sensory, and cognitive impairments. The usefulness of the guidelines and evaluation methods are demonstrated by applying them to the development
of innovative products and environments with industry partners. These projects are funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).

Accessibility Feature Performance Assessment of Canadian Bank Notes
Researchers: Jutai J, and Hovis J
In developing the current Canadian Journey Series (CJS) of bank notes, the Bank of Canada reviewed and revised accessibility features to improve identification and to enhance the ease of use of bank notes by blind and visually impaired Canadians. These revisions focused on four areas of improvement, i.e. colour, enlarged numerals and contrast, tactile feature, and an improved bank note reader. This project will assess the performance of the Canadian Journey Series (CJS) accessibility features and the perceived impact of these changes on targeted users (persons who are blind or low visioned). It will also identify and assess options to address potential gaps, and recommend a short list of accessibility features / options for further evaluation for the next generation of bank notes.

Testing of a Standardized Instrument for Assessing Deafblind Individuals in Ontario.
Researchers: Dalby DM, Hirdes JP, Stolee P, Strong G, Tjam E, and Poss J.
This research involves a partnership with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) and the Canadian Deafblind and Rubella Association (CDBRA) and builds upon an MCSS sponsored porject that was carried out last year to design and test a standardized method to assess deafblind clients. With a standardized assessment in place, service providers and policy-makers will be able to make reliable determinations of clients’ strengths, preferences and needs and to make equitable plans for service provision based on this information. Specifically we are conducting reliability testing of the new instrument we created. A total of 50 clients are being assessed on two separate occasions by two different assessors. Their level of agreement will provide preliminary evidence on the reliability of the instrument. Each of the trained assessors will be interviewed to gather their perceptions on the instrument, its clinical utility, the time needed to complete the assessment and their recommendations for modifications. Detailed analysis of the database created by the MCSS project (n=350 clients) will be conducted to further understand the relationship between client
characteristics and formal service utilization.

Last updated: 31/10/2007

Professor Thomas Strothotte
Universität Magdeburg, Institut für Simulation und Graphik, PO Box 4120, Magdeburg D-39106, Germany.
Tel: +49 391 67 18773
Fax: +49 391 67 11164
Email: tstr@isg.cs.uni-magdeburg.de
Web: www.cs.uni-magdeburg.de
Publications

Current & recent projects

Applications of computer science for blind persons
Co-workers: Jochen Schneider; Henry Kõnig
Development of orientation and navigation systems for blind pedestrians. User interfaces for blind computer users; sound generation from computers; tactile graphics; computer graphics for blind users; picture dictionaries; computer graphics in a social context; virtual reality for blind users; mobility training.
Project start date: 01/10/93

Last updated: 08/10/2003

Professor Ian Stuart-Hamilton
Professor of Developmental Psychology, Room FH401, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, Wales CF37 1DL, United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 1443 654158
Email: istuarth@glam.ac.uk
Web: http://www.glam.ac.uk/hass/1451/448
Publications

Current & recent projects

Research interests:

Last updated: 11/09/2006

Dr. Osamu Sueda
The University of Tokushima, Department of Ecosystem Engineering, 2-1 Minami-josanjima-cho, Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture 772-0814, Japan.
Tel: +81 0886 56 2167
Fax: +81 0886 56 2168
Web: www.eco.tokushima-u.ac.jp/

Current & recent projects

An assistive device and a system for people with sensory impairment, mobility impairment and mental retardation, such as a augmentative and alternative communication device and communication technics, AAC device.

A study addressing adapting the living environment rather than adapting disabled or aged people.

Last updated: 03/12/2004

Joe E. Sullivan
Duxbury Systems Inc, 270 Littleton Road, Unit 6, Westford, , Massachusetts 01886, United States of America.
Tel: +1 978 692 3000
Fax: +1 978 692 7912
Email: joe@duxsys.com
Web: www.duxburysystems.com

Current & recent projects

Co-worker: P J Sullivan
Development of computer software to automate, as much as possible, print to equivalent Braille and vice versa in English and other languages.

Last updated: 27/02/2006

Stephen M. Sutter
CreateAbility Concepts Inc, 8007 Hillsboro Court, Ft Collins, Colorado 80525, United States of America.
Tel: +1 970 635 0610
Fax: +1 970 635 0610
Email: stephenmsutter@aol.com
Web: www.createabilityinc.com

Current & recent projects

Personal Scanner: A Hand-held Device That Speaks the Information Displayed on Common Office Equipment
This project demonstrates the technical merit, feasibility and cost efficiency of a portable electronic device to assist a person with a visual impairment in the use of common office equipment. Phase 1 completed, awaiting status of further funding to complete development.

Last updated: 08/10/2003

Thea Swayne
Tel: +44 7811 09 0026
email thea@theaswayne.co.uk

A Helen Hamlyn Research Associates project to create information design guidelines for the prescription blister pack. This design investigation, a collaboration with the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA), explored the impact that better information design guidelines could have on improving the pack and ensuring patient safety.

The key ideas from the research phase of this project informed the development of design guidance, exemplar packaging designs, and a publication to disseminate and promote best practice.

The publication sets out the safety challenges that need to be addressed, and outlines a new design-led approach to reducing the incidence of medication errors attributed to confusing, complex and unwieldy information design on packaging. Guidance is provided for all those involved in designing, developing and delivering medication packaging. It is also relevant to people in medication procurement and regulation. Together, the book and the exemplars provide a foundation for error to be designed out of medication delivery before accidents occur.

The project publication "Information Design for Patient Safety: a guide to the graphic design of medication packaging" can be downloaded at www.npsa.nhs.uk/health/currentprojects/designforpatientsafety/

For a more detailed description of the project see www.hhrc.rca.ac.uk/programmes/ra/2005/p9.html

Last updated: 28/04/2006

Juha Sylberg
NKL Finnish Central Federation of the Visually Handicapped, Makelankatu 50, Helsinki SF-00510, Finland.
Tel: +358 9 396 041
Fax: +358 9 396 04 200
Email: juha.sylberg@kt.nkl.fi

Current & recent projects

Electronic newspaper by modem transmission, Memona: a pocket Brailler for taking notes, high quality speech synthesizer using samples of human voice.
Project end date: 31/01/99

Janet Szlyk
University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, 1855 W. Taylor Street M/C 648, Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States of America.
Tel: +1 312 996 7179
Fax: +1 312 996 7770
Email: janeszly@uic.edu
Web: www.uic.edu/com/eye/department/facultypages/szlyk.htm
Publications

Current & recent projects

Assessment of functional vision; Processes of rehabilitation following vision loss; Driving with compromised vision; Development of psychophysical tests of visual function with eye disease (e.g., macular dystrophies, retinitis pigmentosa); Relationship between clinical tests of visual function and performance of everyday activities.

Last updated: 18/09/2001

 

 

Last updated: 19.02.2008   © Copyright reserved