Yes, a Diversion!

We have faced a fundamental design issue in the previous session - whether the layout of the interface should be horizontal or vertical. Dr. Wimalaratne suggested that the horizontal one would be more familiar to the user. And that suggestion has seemed valid according to the observations done on 08th of April at ADMTC lab with Mr. Asoka Siriwardena of University of Colombo, who is an ICT instructor in Faculty of Arts. Its the first time we have demonstrated our system to a actula blind person.

There we have tried both the set ups - horizontal and vertical. Even though Mr Asoka was satisfied with both the systems with respect to the functionality, he suggested that it is better to work in vertical plane. He stated that though they can't see anything they still "think" that there is a vertical screen in front of them when they work with the computer.

In my opinion this was the main point in this particular observation. Apart from that he pointed out an important aspect of our system which can distinguish it from the others - identification of the table structures. In their routine activities they couldn't identify and use a table effectively since the sequential nature of the conventional screen readers. He pointed out that tables are very useful tools of data representation from which they couldn't be benefited currently.

He also suggested that our concept can be extended towards a web developing platform where they can identify the locations of the objects on the screen. It should be mentioned that Mr. Asoka is a web developer himself. He stated that urrently they have no mean of verifying their design decisions since they don't have the spatial information.

The other feedback were about the navigational issues such as speed, clarity of voice, key configuration etc. which had been noted down to be corrected in future developments.

In the evening we have visited Mr. Chanaka of University of Sri Jayawardenapura, who is also an ICT instructor and he himself is a totally blind person too. He also seconded the fact which the screen should be vertical than horizontal, though we haven't demonstrated the system to him.

A diversion?
Yes, a Diversion!