EdgeBraille: Braille-based text input for touch devices

Abstract

Access to this document was granted through an Emerald subscription provided by emerald-srm:374558 [] For AuthorsIf you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation. AbstractPurpose -The purpose of this paper is to discuss the issue of tailored text input methods for visually impaired and blind users that are needed on touchscreen devices to support their accessibility. Previous approaches still have issues related to the necessity of searching for characters, slow entry speeds or cumbersome handling. Design/methodology/approach -The authors developed a new Braille-based text input method named EdgeBraille, which allows entering six-point Braille characters by swiping one finger along the edges of the touchscreen in an arbitrary sequence. The approach was compared with the current standard method of a talking keyboard, first in a short-term lab study (14 participants) and then during two weeks of daily training (seven participants). Findings -Overall EdgeBraille was perceived well by the users and possesses favourable handling characteristics. In terms of user performance (words per minute and error rate) the authors found no significant differences between the two methods. However, based on the evaluation results and the feedback of the participants the authors identified possibilities for improvement in terms of a smaller EdgeBraille version allowing the entry of eight-point Braille characters, and conducted a proof-of-concept study (seven participants). Originality/value -In the paper the authors comprehensively reflect on advantages and disadvantages of Braille-based methods in general and EdgeBraille in particular. The authors argue why and how Braille-based methods should serve as complement to current text input paradigms based on talking keyboard and indicate future directions of research.

Deep learning scheme for character prediction with position-free touch screen-based Braille input method

“…Several input methods have been designed for entering Braille using touch screens, e.g., Type In Braille [20], Edge Braille [21], VBraille [22], Perkinput [23], and Braille Easy [9]. Small screen sizes, difficulty in finding specific locations on the screen [24], the lack of physical keys, and a lack of adequate input are some factors that make the use of these applications impractical for visually challenged people.…”

“…Braille dots are entered by activating and deactivating dots anywhere on the screen, and visually impaired people do not need to find the fixed location of the dots. Edge Braille is another position-free Braille entry method that requires a continuous pattern to be drawn along the edges of the screen [21].…”

“…Voice feedback is provided to inform the user of the task's completion in [20,25,31,32,37]. On completion of the task, vibrio-tactile feedback is provided by [20] and [21]. An educational application named mBraille was designed for learning English and Bengali [38].…”

Analysis and Evaluation of Braille to Text Conversion Methods

“…is method allows a user to draw a continuous line by swiping along the screen edges for the entry of a specific character. When the user slides his or her finger on the screen, a vibrio tactile and voice feedback is returned to inform the user of Braille Dot activation or deactivation [38].…”

BlindLogin: A Graphical Authentication System with Support for Blind and Visually Impaired users on Smartphones

“…Jayant et al, 2010 ;Mascetti et al, 2011 ;Azenkot et al, 2012b ;Southern et al, 2012 ;Xiong and Sanford, 2013 ;Façanha et al, 2014 ;Šepić et al, 2015;Alnfiai and Sampalli, 2016) proposed virtual keyboards based on the six dot Braille layout. Mattheiss et al (2015) introduced an 8 dot Braille layout which includes special characters. Jayant et al (2010) divides the screen into 6 areas to represent the 6 dots of the Braille alphabet and uses different haptic vibrations to differentiate between the areas tapped.…”