German Federation of Blind and Visually Impaired People

Model Project BITE Usability Tests on Computer Access Devices for the Blind and Visually Impaired The computer is a key to the occupational and social integration of blind and visually impaired people. Through Braille bars, large print screens and speech output those with damage to their eyesight can have access to all computer-readable information with the exception of graphics. The selection of the appropriate technical aids has, moreover, grown into a branch of knowledge of its own. The great variety of products and the rapid technological change make the offers on the market unmanageable. Even the specialized advisory facilities of the grant-awarding and work-promoting bodies have trouble in maintaining an up-to-date and discerning overview of the market. A Hamburg testing project will now be able to provide support to those who give advice upon technical aids. The model project BITE, an acronym for "Usability Tests on Information Technology for the Blind", will in the years 1996 -1998 carry out tests of computer aids for blind and visually impaired people. Those responsible will be the Hamburg firms BIT GmbH and DIAS GmbH, who are experienced in the evaluation of technical aids and in the design of work-places for handicapped people. A user group of practical experts, including the FIT committee for information technology of the German associations for the blind, will also contribute. Financial support is granted by the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and by the Central Social Services of Hamburg. The central product groups for the computer use of blind and visually impaired people will be tested: Braille bars, large print screens, speech output, Windows adaptions and text recognition systems. For these product groups test procedures will be developed and standardized tests will be carried out. As a major objective, the suitability of the device for various demands of the work-place will be assessed. Test criteria will be safety and functionality according to task as well as ergonomic criteria. Ease of use, short reaction time and error tolerance are requirements that technical aids for the blind must fulfil just as other hard- and software must. The tests will for the first time provide an objective comparison for computer aids for the blind, focussing upon the features that are crucial for practical use. In this way false purchases, that until now have presented considerable annoyance at the work-places of the blind, can be avoided. Not least the tests will contribute to the improvement of technical aids, since they will provide the manufacturers as well with a measurement with which to assess the quality of their products. The first group of products to be tested will be Braille bars and Windows adaptions. The results will be published in the Autumn, 1996. The German rehabilitation database REHADAT will also take over the test results.

New Methods to Assess the Suitability of Computer Access Devices for the Blind and Visually Impaired in the Workforce USABILITY TESTS ON COMPUTER ACCESS DEVICES FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED Technical aids supporting computer use by the blind and sight impaired: How tests can improve the quality of available products

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New Methods to Assess the Suitability of Computer Access Devices for the Blind and Visually Impaired in the Workforce

Bornemann-Jeske, B., BIT GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
Lilienthal, T., D.I.A.S. GmbH, Hamburg, Germany

in: Verband Deutscher Rentenversicherungstraeger (Ed.): 6th European Congress on Research in Rehabilitation, Improving Practice by Research, May - June 4, 1998, Berlin, Germany, Congress Proceedings, p. 641 f.

The computer is a key to the occupational and social integration of blind and visually impaired people. The selection of the appropriate access technology has, moreover, grown into a branch of knowledge of its own. The great variety of products and the rapid technological changes make the offers on the rehabilitation market unmanageable. In the frame of the German model project BITE, new methods have been developed in order to maintain an up-to-date and discerning overview of the market, and to assess the suitability of technical aids at the individual workplace.

Product groups under evaluation are access software for MS-Windows (screen readers) in combination with output devices like braille bars, screen magnifiers, and speech output. The user requirements for these product groups have been specified according to ISO 9421 on the basis of the practical experience of vocational trainers and expert users. In order to meet the basic requirements of a wide range of users, the desired properties of the product have been structured in three partitions:

• general quality standards for hard- and software such as compatibility, operational security, complete documentation, and service
• functionality according to tasks: basic and advanced functions of standard office software, special functions for computer service staff, adaptability to a large range of different software
• efficiency in information access such as operational control, individualization, and ease of learning

Different instruments have been developed in order to facilitate technical advice in different stages of the decision making process:

• usability tests: Based on the general set of user requirements, a set of test methods has been developed and a series of product tests has been carried out. The test results give a detailed description of the state of the art of the product. The report is available to the public.
• manufacturer´s questionnaire: Investigation tools for usage by the manufacturer provide an update procedure for technical data. The questionnaire can be used both for individual purchase of technical aids and for up-to-date public reports.
• worksite questionnaire: Investigation tools for usage by the technical advisor in order to ascertain the user requirements of the individual workplace. The questionnaire allows for an individual evaluation of the general product information given by the test report. In addition, questions of special interest are outlined which should be answered by the manufacturer individually.

The instruments developed by the BITE project help to improve economy and quality control in the provision of technical aids.

References:
DIN EN 29241: Deutsches Institut für Normung: Ergonomische Anforderungen für Bürotätigkeiten mit Bildschirmgeräten (= ISO 9241: Ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminals), Beuth Verlag, Berlin 1993

Bornemann-Jeske, Brigitte: Usability Tests on Computer Access Devices for the Blind and Visually Impaired, in: Joachim Klaus et al. (Eds.): Interdisciplinary Aspects on Computers Helping People with Special Needs, 5th International Conference, ICCHP ´96, Linz, Austria, July 1996, p. 139 - 147

Keywords:
blind, visually impaired, computer access technology, braille bars, screen magnifiers

Address:
BIT GmbH
Brigitte Bornemann-Jeske
Richardstr. 45
D-22081 Hamburg
Tel.: +49-40-2987340
Fax: +49-40-2987342
eMail:
Bornemann-Jeske@t-online.de

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USABILITY TESTS ON COMPUTER ACCESS DEVICES FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

Abstract

The scope of the German BITE project is outlined, and its first results are presented. BITE is an acronym for "Usability Tests on Information Technology for the Blind". The model project will specify user requirements and develop test methods concerning computer access technology. A major objective will be to assess the suitability of the devices for the various demands of the work-place. Test criteria will be effectiveness and efficiency in performing the required tasks as well as other ergonomic criteria. User involvement will play a major role in methodological procedures.

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Technical aids supporting computer use by the blind and sight impaired: How tests can improve the quality of available products

Brigitte Bornemann-Jeske / Thomas Lilienthal
BIT GmbH / DIAS GmbH, Hamburg
(Paper accepted for Presentation at the AAATE Conference Nov. 1999 at Dortmund)

Computer aids, blind and sight-impaired computer users, test procedures

Abstract:

A procedure for testing the usability of computer aids for blind and sight-impaired PC users will be pre-sented. Comparative product tests evaluate the usability of important computer aids for completing typical office work. The procedure was developed as part of the BITE Project, then modified and tested on Braille bars, screen readers for Windows and screen magnifying systems. The data recorded offer experts, trainers and affected users the necessary basis for making decision about the selection and purchase of appropriate aids. Suppliers received important information for future product development. We plan to make the test procedures and results available in an Internet databank in the future.

Download "zip": Technical aids supporting computer use by the blind and sight impaired: How tests can improve the quality of available products
Download "exe": Technical aids supporting computer use by the blind and sight impaired: How tests can improve the quality of available products

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