Globally, over 2.2 billion people face vision impairment, necessitating innovative solutions for safe, independent navigation. Traditional aids like canes, guide dogs, and GPS offer basic support but lack the sophistication to provide contextual understanding, precise navigation, or real-time hazard alerts. This project presents SmartGuide, a mobile app designed to enhance the independence of visually impaired users through AI-driven features. SmartGuide offers three main functions: (1) Smart Vision, using the GPT-4 Vision API to deliver spoken feedback about surroundings; (2) Navigation, combining QR code detection via YOLO with ZoeDepth for depth estimation, guiding users to destinations through the shortest path calculated by Dijkstra's algorithm; and (3) Obstacle Detection and Alerts, where YOLO identifies obstacles, and ZoeDepth estimates their distance to inform users of potential hazards. By adapting its responses based on user feedback, SmartGuide provides personalized, reliable guidance that empowers visually impaired individuals to navigate with confidence and safety, advancing the field of accessible technology. / Master of Science / Navigating unfamiliar or crowded spaces is a major challenge for visually impaired individuals, who often rely on canes, guide dogs, or GPS tools. While useful, these aids offer only limited guidance and do not provide detailed information about surroundings, directions, or nearby obstacles. SmartGuide is a mobile application designed to address these gaps, enabling visually impaired users to navigate more independently and safely. SmartGuide includes three main features: Smart Vision, which gives audio feedback about the user's surroundings; Navigation, which uses QR codes and depth estimation to guide users to destinations along the shortest path; and Obstacle Alerts that detects obstacles, warning users of potential hazards. Using advanced AI technologies and feedback from visually impaired users, SmartGuide delivers clear, actionable guidance that supports confident, safe movement in both familiar and new environments. This research-driven tool demonstrates how technology can enhance accessibility, making navigation easier and safer for those with vision impairment.

Since retailing conceptualisation, it has been at the forefront of societal distribution of necessities, goods and experiences. Human beings, the consumers of retail, have daily or multiple times used supermarkets to express their purchase behaviour and elevate their consumer lifes. In the retail space itself the consumer uses their senses of visual, auditory, olfactory and touch to accurately perceive all around them. But there is a group of individuals who face various challenges in the retail experience: people who are visually impaired. For them, the retail experience differs significantly from the norm. Thus, the purpose of this study is to explore how people who are visually impaired experience the retail setting of supermarkets. With an aim to analyse how in-store design and sensory cues can be used to enable and affect supermarkets for the visually impaired. Additionally, the impact of using aids will be explored to facilitate their role in retail experience. Empirical findings were collected with the help of qualitative single case studies with semi structured interviews. In total, one pilot-study was conducted and 15 visually impaired people were interviewed in Sweden. The informants were asked about their retail experience in supermarkets and how in-store design, senses and aids affect their personal experiences. The findings were analysed and coded through thematic analysis and later discussed with various peer-reviewed literature. Conclusively, this thesis found that visually impaired people experience a significant difference from sighted people in supermarkets. Facing numerous challenges and obstacles in their visits. It was found that visually impaired peopleare separated from other customer segments through various inaccessible factors in the retail setting. However, as these factors work as barriers, the research shows that there exist solutions and potential in the supermarket setting, extending through in-store design, sensory cues, and aids. By facilitating and developing the areas, major improvements to customer accessibility can be introduced.

Accessibility is important in the development of digital products as well as in physical products. An accessible product enables all people to use it, whether they have a disability or not. This thesis focuses on accessibility for visually impaired people in a music streaming service on desktop. Many music streaming services for desktop are built with web technologies, including Spotify. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the accessibility status of the Spo- tify desktop application as well as develop accessibility guidelines fo- cused on a music streaming service. A user test was performed to in- vestigate the accessibility status of the desktop application. Existing accessibility guidelines was studied and used together with the results of the user test to develop accessibility guidelines applicable to a music streaming service. It was found that the Spotify desktop application had many accessibility issues and these were considered when developing accessibility guide- lines. The existing guidelines studied was the WCAG 2.0 guidelines developed by W3C. These were read through completely and compiled in Chapter 4 of this report. The result of the thesis was accessibility guidelines suitable for a music streaming service on desktop. Since music streaming applications can be developed using different techniques and frameworks these guide- lines should be used as a guide on how to implement accessibility and needs to be customized for each use case. Though the fundamentals of the guidelines should be applicable to most music streaming desktop applications.

This dissertation presents work towards the development of a multiple finger, worn, dynamic display device, which utilizes a method of texture encoded information to haptically render graphical images for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The device interacts directly with the computer screen, using the colors and patterns displayed by the image as a means to encode complex patterns of vibrotactile output, generating the texture feedback to render the image. In turn, the texture feedback was methodically designed to enable parallel processing of certain coarse information, speeding up the exploration of the diagram and improving user performance. The design choices were validated when individuals who are blind or visually impaired, using the multi-fingered display system, performed three-times better using textured image representations versus outline representations. Furthermore, in an open-ended object identification task, the display device saw on average two-times better performance accuracy than that previously observed for raised-line diagrams, the current standard for tactile diagrams.

Researchers have learned much about how sighted individuals seek information on Web sites - for example, users follow "information scent" as they move from page to page, and individual differences may impact successful information seeking on the Web. While it is possible that individuals with disabilities, especially those with severe visual impairments, perform information-seeking activities in a similar manner, little is known about how individuals who use screen readers to navigate actually seek information on the Web. In this study, we used both qualitative and quantitative measures to investigate the Web navigation techniques of four screen-reader users and how a user’s experience affects these navigation techniques and his or her ability to successfully complete an information-finding task. We compared metrics for between-page and within-page navigation to studies of sighted users. We also considered how a Web site’s compliance with Section 508 guidelines affects the overall information-finding experience of a visually-impaired individual. We discovered that among the four individuals in this study, user experience was not necessarily indicative of a successful information-finding experience. As individuals, the participants' navigation techniques varied widely; as a group, they generally searched more frequently and used the back button less frequently than has been reported for sighted individuals. Screen-reader users in this study followed a more flimsy, linear navigation style and generally used scrolling actions rather than searching actions. When using a Web site that has a Section 508 compliant home page, we found that the screen-reader users in this study completed information-finding tasks significantly more quickly, used significantly fewer actions, and reported a more satisfying information-finding experience. They were also more successful at finding the information goal and encountered fewer impasses. Using both quantitative and qualitative measures was critical in this study. The quantitative metrics allowed us to compare values and the qualitative data provided additional insight into individual differences as well as allowing a deeper understanding of the quantitative data. The information from this study contributes to the growing body of research knowledge about screen-reader users. It also contributes a new understanding of screen-reader users that can be used by the worldwide community of Web developers, designers, and users. / text

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed June 23, 2008). Includes bibliographical references (p. 65-73).

abstract: Improving accessibility to public buildings by people with special needs has been an important societal commitment that is mandated by federal laws. In the information age, accessibility can mean more than simply providing physical accommodations like ramps for wheel-chairs. Better yet, accessibility will be fundamentally improved, if a user can be made aware of important location-specific information like functions of offices near the user within a building. A smart environment may help a new person quickly get acquainted about the environment. Such features can be more critical for cases of making an indoor environment more accessible to people with visual impairment. With the intention to promote the integration of visually impaired people in society, this thesis efforts on methodologies for building smart and accessible indoor office environments with the help of Apple's Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology called iBeacon to provide location awareness and enable easy access to information about the environment to people with visual impairment. This thesis presents work done on developing an iterative based approach in improving the configuration of given number of iBeacons to gain optimal signal coverage in a given office space environment and enabling smart features such as tagging points of interest and push notifications. This work aims to exploit the idea to look at visual impairment beyond the level of disability and cash it at as an opportunity to bring about a change of style of living. This work develops a methodology by introducing an end-to-end systems that uses intelligent server side and visually-impaired-friendly client side interfaces to give a prototype of an assistive technology to help them do basic activities like getting familiarized about an office environment without the need for asking for assistance. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Computer Science 2017

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de NÃvel Superior / Promover saÃde à tambÃm capacitar cidadÃos para atuarem sobre determinantes da prÃpria saÃde, inclusive pessoas com deficiÃncia. Assim, materiais educativos em saÃde acessÃveis aos cegos passÃveis de ser veiculados na rede web poderÃo ampliar sua independÃncia e autonomia e sÃo denominados tecnologia assistiva. Nesta pesquisa, trabalhou-se com a tecnologia âAmamentaÃÃo em aÃÃoâ. Esta à uma literatura de cordel e como tal apresenta caracterÃstica peculiar que exibe como estratÃgia lÃdica, a rima. Os folhetos foram selecionados por tal atributo e a amamentaÃÃo por ser conteÃdo importante e seus Ãndices estarem aquÃm do recomendado pelos ÃrgÃos competentes. Este tema à vivenciado por muitas mulheres e representa momento de amor entre mÃe e filho. AlÃm disso, apresenta menor risco de desenvolver doenÃas Ãs crianÃas amamentadas. Objetivou-se validar tecnologia assistiva sobre amamentaÃÃo para cegos na modalidade literatura de cordel em Ãudio atravÃs do acesso online para promoÃÃo da saÃde. Trata-se de pesquisa do tipo desenvolvimento metodolÃgico utilizando modelo da psicometria. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida no LaboratÃrio de ComunicaÃÃo em SaÃde da Universidade Federal do CearÃ. A amostra foi constituÃda de 124 sujeitos com idade mÃnima de 18 anos e domÃnio bÃsico de uso do software disponÃvel. Para coleta dos dados, utilizou-se pÃgina da web. Na mesma estavam a tecnologia e formulÃrios para preenchimento. Para anÃlise dos dados, calcularam-se mÃdias e desvio padrÃo das variÃveis quantitativas. As variÃveis qualitativas foram analisadas pelos testes Qui-Quadrado e razÃo de verossimilhanÃa. A comparaÃÃo das mÃdias dos tÃpicos foi realizada com o teste t de Student para dados independentes ou pelo teste F de Snedecor (ANOVA). Consideraram-se significantes as anÃlises quando p < 0,05. O projeto foi aprovado pelo Comità de Ãtica em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal do CearÃ. A maioria dos sujeitos tinha idade de 30-49 anos (61,3%), sexo feminino (51,6%), cursaram o ensino mÃdio (48,4%), nÃo casados (55,6%), com renda de atà um salÃrio mÃnimo (2012 - R$ 622,00 / 2013 - R$673,00) (40,3%), que trabalham (75,0%), residem no Nordeste (90,3%), aposentados (21,8%) e com cegueira de nascenÃa (51,6%). Em relaÃÃo à avaliaÃÃo da tecnologia assistiva, pelas mÃdias encontradas, todos os tÃpicos foram favorÃveis, objetivo (93,6  10,7), organizaÃÃo (87,0  14,5), estilo de Ãudio (86,7  15,6) e motivaÃÃo (88,9  15,3), e a mesma foi considerada estratÃgia vÃlida de promoÃÃo da saÃde. ApÃs avaliaÃÃo da tecnologia, foi perceptÃvel que a mesma atingiu aos objetivos propostos e metas pretendidas, com boa organizaÃÃo geral, estrutura, estratÃgia de apresentaÃÃo e coerÃncia, alÃm de apropriada compreensÃo e bom estilo de Ãudio, com capacidade de causar impacto, motivaÃÃo e/ou interesse. Como profissional responsÃvel pela promoÃÃo da saÃde, o enfermeiro deve se envolver cada vez mais no ambiente real dos sujeitos para diagnÃstico situacional e consequente intervenÃÃo eficaz. / Health promotion also means enabling citizens to act on the determinants of their own health, including disabled people. Hence, health education material accessible to the blind which can be disseminated through the web can enhance their independence and autonomy and are called assistive technology. In this research, the technology âBreastfeeding in actionâ was used. This technology is cordel literature and, as such, is characterized by the rhyme as a playful strategy. The booklets were selected because of this attribute and breastfeeding because the content is important and because its levels are inferior to the recommendations by competent entities. This theme is experienced by many women and represents a moment of love between mother and child. In addition, breastfed children present less risk of developing illnesses. The aim was to validate assistive technology on breastfeeding in the cordel literature modality in audio through online access for health promotion. A methodological development research was undertaken, using the psychometric model. The research was developed at the Health Communication Laboratory of the Universidade Federal do CearÃ. The sample consisted of 124 subjects with a minimum age of 18 years and basic mastery to use the available software. To collect the data, a website was used. The page showed the technology and forms for completion. To analyze the data, means and standard deviations were calculated for the quantitative variables. The qualitative variables were analyzed using the chi-square and likelihood ratio tests. Studentâs t-test for independent data or Snedecorâs F-test (ANOVA) were used to compare the means of the topics. Analyses were considered significant when p < 0.05. Approval for the project was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee at Universidade Federal do CearÃ. Most subjects were 30-49 years of age (61.3%), female (51.6%), had taken secondary education (48.4%), were not married (55.6%), with an income of up to one minimum wage (2012 - R$ 622.00 / 2013 - R$673.00) (40.3%), who work (75.0%), live in the Northeast (90.3%), are retired (21.8%) and have been blind since birth (51.6%). As regards the assessment of the assistive technology, according to the means found, all topics were favorable, objective (93.6  10.7), organization (87.0  14.5), audio style (86.7  15.6) and motivation (88.9  15.3), and the technology was considered a valid health promotion strategy. The assessment of the technology revealed that it achieved the proposed objectives and intended goals, with a good general organization, structure, presentation strategy and coherence, besides appropriate understanding and a good audio style, able to cause impact, motivation and/or interest. As professionals responsible for health promotion, nurses should increasingly engage in the subjectsâ real environment for the sake of a situational diagnosis and consequent effective intervention.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de NÃvel Superior / Promover saÃde à tambÃm capacitar cidadÃos para atuarem sobre determinantes da prÃpria saÃde, inclusive pessoas com deficiÃncia. Assim, materiais educativos em saÃde acessÃveis aos cegos passÃveis de ser veiculados na rede web poderÃo ampliar sua independÃncia e autonomia e sÃo denominados tecnologia assistiva. Nesta pesquisa, trabalhou-se com a tecnologia âAmamentaÃÃo em aÃÃoâ. Esta à uma literatura de cordel e como tal apresenta caracterÃstica peculiar que exibe como estratÃgia lÃdica, a rima. Os folhetos foram selecionados por tal atributo e a amamentaÃÃo por ser conteÃdo importante e seus Ãndices estarem aquÃm do recomendado pelos ÃrgÃos competentes. Este tema à vivenciado por muitas mulheres e representa momento de amor entre mÃe e filho. AlÃm disso, apresenta menor risco de desenvolver doenÃas Ãs crianÃas amamentadas. Objetivou-se validar tecnologia assistiva sobre amamentaÃÃo para cegos na modalidade literatura de cordel em Ãudio atravÃs do acesso online para promoÃÃo da saÃde. Trata-se de pesquisa do tipo desenvolvimento metodolÃgico utilizando modelo da psicometria. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida no LaboratÃrio de ComunicaÃÃo em SaÃde da Universidade Federal do CearÃ. A amostra foi constituÃda de 124 sujeitos com idade mÃnima de 18 anos e domÃnio bÃsico de uso do software disponÃvel. Para coleta dos dados, utilizou-se pÃgina da web. Na mesma estavam a tecnologia e formulÃrios para preenchimento. Para anÃlise dos dados, calcularam-se mÃdias e desvio padrÃo das variÃveis quantitativas. As variÃveis qualitativas foram analisadas pelos testes Qui-Quadrado e razÃo de verossimilhanÃa. A comparaÃÃo das mÃdias dos tÃpicos foi realizada com o teste t de Student para dados independentes ou pelo teste F de Snedecor (ANOVA). Consideraram-se significantes as anÃlises quando p < 0,05. O projeto foi aprovado pelo Comità de Ãtica em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal do CearÃ. A maioria dos sujeitos tinha idade de 30-49 anos (61,3%), sexo feminino (51,6%), cursaram o ensino mÃdio (48,4%), nÃo casados (55,6%), com renda de atà um salÃrio mÃnimo (2012 - R$ 622,00 / 2013 - R$673,00) (40,3%), que trabalham (75,0%), residem no Nordeste (90,3%), aposentados (21,8%) e com cegueira de nascenÃa (51,6%). Em relaÃÃo à avaliaÃÃo da tecnologia assistiva, pelas mÃdias encontradas, todos os tÃpicos foram favorÃveis, objetivo (93,6  10,7), organizaÃÃo (87,0  14,5), estilo de Ãudio (86,7  15,6) e motivaÃÃo (88,9  15,3), e a mesma foi considerada estratÃgia vÃlida de promoÃÃo da saÃde. ApÃs avaliaÃÃo da tecnologia, foi perceptÃvel que a mesma atingiu aos objetivos propostos e metas pretendidas, com boa organizaÃÃo geral, estrutura, estratÃgia de apresentaÃÃo e coerÃncia, alÃm de apropriada compreensÃo e bom estilo de Ãudio, com capacidade de causar impacto, motivaÃÃo e/ou interesse. Como profissional responsÃvel pela promoÃÃo da saÃde, o enfermeiro deve se envolver cada vez mais no ambiente real dos sujeitos para diagnÃstico situacional e consequente intervenÃÃo eficaz. / Health promotion also means enabling citizens to act on the determinants of their own health, including disabled people. Hence, health education material accessible to the blind which can be disseminated through the web can enhance their independence and autonomy and are called assistive technology. In this research, the technology âBreastfeeding in actionâ was used. This technology is cordel literature and, as such, is characterized by the rhyme as a playful strategy. The booklets were selected because of this attribute and breastfeeding because the content is important and because its levels are inferior to the recommendations by competent entities. This theme is experienced by many women and represents a moment of love between mother and child. In addition, breastfed children present less risk of developing illnesses. The aim was to validate assistive technology on breastfeeding in the cordel literature modality in audio through online access for health promotion. A methodological development research was undertaken, using the psychometric model. The research was developed at the Health Communication Laboratory of the Universidade Federal do CearÃ. The sample consisted of 124 subjects with a minimum age of 18 years and basic mastery to use the available software. To collect the data, a website was used. The page showed the technology and forms for completion. To analyze the data, means and standard deviations were calculated for the quantitative variables. The qualitative variables were analyzed using the chi-square and likelihood ratio tests. Studentâs t-test for independent data or Snedecorâs F-test (ANOVA) were used to compare the means of the topics. Analyses were considered significant when p < 0.05. Approval for the project was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee at Universidade Federal do CearÃ. Most subjects were 30-49 years of age (61.3%), female (51.6%), had taken secondary education (48.4%), were not married (55.6%), with an income of up to one minimum wage (2012 - R$ 622.00 / 2013 - R$673.00) (40.3%), who work (75.0%), live in the Northeast (90.3%), are retired (21.8%) and have been blind since birth (51.6%). As regards the assessment of the assistive technology, according to the means found, all topics were favorable, objective (93.6  10.7), organization (87.0  14.5), audio style (86.7  15.6) and motivation (88.9  15.3), and the technology was considered a valid health promotion strategy. The assessment of the technology revealed that it achieved the proposed objectives and intended goals, with a good general organization, structure, presentation strategy and coherence, besides appropriate understanding and a good audio style, able to cause impact, motivation and/or interest. As professionals responsible for health promotion, nurses should increasingly engage in the subjectsâ real environment for the sake of a situational diagnosis and consequent effective intervention.