WordTouch: A Braille specific notetaker for the visually impaired of Pakistan

Abstract

Considering the lack of accessible products for the visually impaired and blind, students and professionals in Pakistan must rely on conventional methods for learning and working in their daily lives. This leaves them at a disadvantage compared to their sighted peers not only in their academic but also professional lives. The proposed solution is a notetaker dedicated to braille users combined with a refreshable braille display for data output. Several research methodologies were applied in the information collection, review, and design development process. User interviews were conducted to ascertain the problems they face while working. Feedback from these sessions aided the progress of the product which led to the usability testing of the form. The results concluded that the participants were more comfortable, in terms of hand ergonomics, interface learning curve, tying speed, and error rate, in using a product that is dedicated to braille· users instead of a regular QWERTY keyboard. For future products, the aim is to move forward with the development of the design by making the casing more compact, and incorporating additional functions into the design such as formatting short keys and other languages such as Pashto and Sindhi etc.