Literature Reviews

Reviewed research papers, articles, and publications relevant to digital accessibility.

• Constructive Exploration of Spatial Information by Blind Users

  Jochen Schneider, Thomas Strothotte (2000) — Proceedings of the Fourth International ACM Conference on Assistive Technologies (Assets '00)

  This paper from the University of Magdeburg introduces "constructive exploration," a novel approach to helping blind people learn spatial layouts by actively building physical representations of routes and areas using building blocks, guided by an in…

  • blind users
  • spatial cognition
  • tactile maps
  • haptic interface
  • force feedback
  • tangible interface
  • wayfinding
  • orientation and mobility
  • cognitive maps
  • constructive exploration

• Mental Maps and the Use of Sensory Information by Blind and Partially Sighted People

  Marion Hersh (2020) — ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This qualitative study addresses a significant gap in understanding how blind and partially sighted people form and use spatial representations (mental maps) during real-world travel. Through semi-structured interviews with 100 participants across fi…

  • blindness
  • low vision
  • orientation and mobility
  • wayfinding
  • cognitive maps
  • spatial representation
  • qualitative research
  • travel aids

• Spotlights and Soundscapes: On the Design of Mixed Reality Auditory Environments for Persons with Visual Impairment

  Keenan R. May, Brianna J. Tomlinson, Xiaomeng Ma, Phillip Roberts, Bruce N. Walker (2020) — ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This paper explores the design of information-rich mixed reality (MR) auditory environments to help people with visual impairments form cognitive maps of unfamiliar indoor spaces. The research contrasts two approaches: soundscapes, where virtual obje…

  • mixed reality
  • spatial audio
  • auditory display
  • cognitive maps
  • indoor navigation
  • blind and low vision
  • soundscape
  • virtual reality
  • user-centered design