Enhanced Accessibility for Mobile Indoor Navigation

TL;DR

This work develops an indoor navigation app that prioritizes accessibility, integrating enhanced features to meet the needs of visually impaired users, through a combination of user interviews and an analysis of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

Abstract

The navigation of indoor spaces poses difficult challenges for individuals with visual impairments, as it requires processing of sensory information, dealing with uncertainties, and relying on assistance. To tackle these challenges, we present an indoor navigation app that places importance on accessibility for visually impaired users. Our approach involves a combination of user interviews and an analysis of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. With this approach, we are able to gather invaluable insights and identify design requirements for the development of an indoor navigation app. Based on these insights, we develop an indoor navigation app that prioritizes accessibility, integrating enhanced features to meet the needs of visually impaired users. The usability of the app is being thoroughly evaluated through tests involving both visually impaired and sighted users. Initial feedback has been positive, with users appreciating the inclusive user interface and the usability with a wide range of accessibility tools and Android device settings.

Figures (6)

• Figure 1: Vibration pattern for direction encoding: Compass-Style for continuous encoding (left) and Counting-Clock-Style for event-based encoding (right)
• Figure 2: Vibration pattern for distance encoding: The closer we get to the target, the higher the vibration frequency.
• Figure 3: Navigation workflow for event-based navigation
• Figure 4: Search field (optimized for space and one-handed usage). Without search query, recent or frequent destinations are suggested (left), while adding a search query will filter the list of possible destinations (right).
• Figure 5: Navigation screens (left to right): Route on map, High-Contrast-Arrow pointing in the direction to go, Turn-by-Turn Instructions (opened by swiping the bottom sheet). The preview screens look identical, except not showing the current instruction.