Usages and demands to touchscreen interface: A questionnaire survey in Japanese visually impaired people

Along with the spread of touchscreen computers, the accessibility of the touchscreen interfaces should be secured for visually impaired people. Some of them had interest and own touchscreen computers, usage condition and needs of the computer was not investigated. Specifically, following situations concerning touchscreen computers remain unknown: what kind of inconvenience they found in their using, what kind of functions they need, why some of them avoid using regardless of their interest, etc. In order to propose and familiarize user-friendly interface for visually impaired people, it is necessary not only to research accessible touchscreen computer but also to investigate current situation regarding touchscreen computers. In this paper, we aimed at demonstrating the needs and usages of touchscreen interfaces such as smartphones and tablet computers in people with visual impairment. These situations are investigated through a questionnaire for Japanese visually impaired people. Part of the results indicated that most of them would like to use touchscreen computer, that most of owners uses by means of screen readers regardless of their visual conditions, and that dynamic and even stable tactile feedback can be effective.