Literature Reviews
Reviewed research papers, articles, and publications relevant to digital accessibility.
21 results found tagged spatial cognition.
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Design and Implementation of Virtual Environments for Training of the Visually Impaired
This paper from the Informatics and Telematics Institute in Greece presents the ENORASI project, an EU-funded initiative to develop a haptic virtual reality training system for blind and visually impaired people. The system uses a CyberGrasp haptic g…
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Constructive Exploration of Spatial Information by Blind Users
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…
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TDraw: A Computer-Based Tactile Drawing Tool for Blind People
This paper from Freie Universität Berlin presents TDraw, a computer-based system that enables blind people to create tactile drawings and, equally importantly, allows researchers to study how blind people draw. The paper begins with a theoretical ana…
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Supporting Spatial Awareness and Independent Wayfinding for Pedestrians with Visual Impairments
This paper presents Talking Points 3 (TP3), a location- and orientation-aware smartphone system designed to increase the "legibility" of indoor environments for pedestrians with visual impairments, fostering spatial awareness rather than simply provi…
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Usability Issues with 3D User Interfaces for Adolescents with High Functioning Autism
This paper investigates how adolescents with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD) perform basic 3D user interface tasks compared to typically developed (TD) peers. While VR and 3D interfaces are increasingly used in ASD therapy (e.g., driv…
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Usability of a Multimodal Video Game to Improve Navigation Skills for Blind Children
This paper presents an evaluative study of a multimodal system combining a custom haptic device (Digital Clock Carpet) with a 3D audio-based video game (MOVA3D) to develop orientation and mobility (O&M) skills in blind school-aged children. The Digit…
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Principles for Designing Large-Format Refreshable Haptic Graphics Using Touchscreen Devices: An Evaluation of Nonvisual Panning Methods
This paper addresses a fundamental challenge in touchscreen-based accessibility: how to provide non-visual access to large-format graphical materials like maps that exceed the device's screen size. While touchscreens represent the fastest-growing com…
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X-Road: Virtual Reality Glasses for Orientation and Mobility Training of People with Visual Impairments
This paper presents X-Road, an affordable and accessible virtual reality system designed for Orientation and Mobility (O&M) training of students with visual impairments. O&M classes teach essential navigation skills like crossing streets, but real-wo…
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Use of an Indoor Navigation System by Sighted and Blind Travelers: Performance Similarities across Visual Status and Age
This study evaluates an indoor navigation system using commercial iOS devices and Bluetooth beacons to guide blind and visually impaired (BVI) travelers through complex university buildings. The research compared two navigation conditions: a system-a…
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Route Descriptions, Spatial Knowledge and Spatial Representations of Blind and Partially Sighted People: Improved Design of Electronic Travel Aids
This paper presents a qualitative study investigating how blind and partially sighted people acquire spatial knowledge, form mental maps, and describe routes—with the goal of informing better design of electronic travel aids (ETAs). The researchers w…