Digital tools for the blind : How to increase navigational capabilities for visually impaired persons

Abstract: The development of human-computer interaction (HCI) systems, usable by people withvisual impairments is a progressing field of research. Similarly, the creation of audio-onlygames and digital tools has been investigated somewhat thoroughly, with many interestingresults. This thesis aims to combine the two fields in the creation of an audio-only digital tool,aimed at aiding visually impaired persons to navigate unknown areas. This is done by lookingat the field of HCI systems, and games for blind, and by looking at the concept of mentalmaps and spatial orientation within cognitive science. An application is created, evaluatedand tested based on a set number of criteria. An experiment is performed and the results areevaluated and compared to another digital tool in order to learn more about how to increasethe usability and functionality of digital tools for the visually impaired. The results give astrong indication towards how to best proceed with future research.