Virtual world accessibility: a multitool approach
Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. === ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Computer-based virtual worlds are increasingly used for activities which previously required physical environments. However, in its mainstream form, such a virtual world provides output on a graphical display and is thus inaccessib...
Main Author: | |
---|---|
Other Authors: | |
Format: | Others |
Language: | en_ZA |
Published: |
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2015
|
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/95932 |
id |
ndltd-netd.ac.za-oai-union.ndltd.org-sun-oai-scholar.sun.ac.za-10019.1-95932 |
---|---|
record_format |
oai_dc |
spelling |
ndltd-netd.ac.za-oai-union.ndltd.org-sun-oai-scholar.sun.ac.za-10019.1-959322016-01-29T04:03:29Z Virtual world accessibility: a multitool approach Kruger, Rynhardt Pieter Van Zijl, Lynette Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Science. Department of Mathematical Sciences. Virtual reality -- Blind users Virtual reality -- Audio applications Virtual reality -- Multiple tools Computer systems -- Channel overload UCTD Blind -- Services for Access technologies Self-help devices for people with disabilities Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Computer-based virtual worlds are increasingly used for activities which previously required physical environments. However, in its mainstream form, such a virtual world provides output on a graphical display and is thus inaccessible to a blind user. To achieve accessibility for blind users, an alternative to graphical output must be used. Audio and text are two output methods that can be considered. However, when using audio, care must be taken not to overload the audio channel. Channel overloading is possible with audio since it is not a selective output medium like the visual channel, that is, the user cannot choose what he/she wants to hear. Text should also be treated as audio, since a blind user consumes textual information as synthesized speech. In this research we discuss one possible solution to the problem of channel overloading, by the use of multiple exploration and navigation tools. These tools should allow the user to shape the information provided as audio output. Specially, we discuss the development of a virtual world client called Perspective, enabling non-visual access to virtual worlds by the use of multiple navigation and exploration tools. Perspective also serves as a framework for tool implementation and evaluation. Finally we give recommendations for improvements to current virtual world building practices and protocols, as to work toward an accessibility standard. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Rekenaargebaseerde virtuele wêrelde word toenemend gebruik vir aktiwiteite wat voorheen fiesiese omgewings benodig het. Tog verskaf so 'n virtuele wêreld, in sy standaard vorm, afvoer as 'n grafiese beeld en is dus ontoeganklik vir 'n blinde gebruiker. Om toeganklikheid vir blinde gebruikers te bewerkstellig, moet 'n alternatief vir die grafiese beeld gebruik word. Klank en teks is twee alternatiewe wat beskou kan word. Tog moet klank versigtig gebruik word, aangesien die klankkanaal oorlaai kan word. Die klankkanaal kan oorlaai word aangesien dit nie 'n selektiewe kanaal soos die visuele kanaal is nie, met ander woorde, die gebruiker kan nie kies wat hy/sy wil hoor nie. Teks moet ook as klank beskou word, aangesien 'n blinde gebruiker teks in die vorm van gesintetiseerde spraak inneem. Met hierdie navorsing bespreek ons een oplossing vir die probleem van kanaaloorlading, deur die gebruik van verskeie navigasie- en verkenningsgereedskapstukke. Hierdie gereedskapstukke behoort die gebruiker in staat te stel om die inligting wat as klank oorgedra word, te bepaal. Ons bespreek spesi ek die ontwikkeling van 'n virtuele wêreld-kliënt genaamd Perspective, wat nie-visuele toegang tot virtuele wêrelde bewerkstellig deur die gebruik van meervoudige navigasie- en verkenningsgereedskapstukke. Perspective dien ook as 'n raamwerk vir die ontwikkeling en evaluering van gereedskapstukke. Laastens verskaf ons voorstelle vir verbeteringe van die boutegnieke en protokolle van huidige virtuele wêrelde, as eerste stap na 'n toeganklikheidsstandaard vir virtuele wêrelde. 2015-01-13T11:48:33Z 2015-01-13T11:48:33Z 2014-12 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/95932 en_ZA Stellenbosch University vi, 64 p. : ill. Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
collection |
NDLTD |
language |
en_ZA |
format |
Others
|
sources |
NDLTD |
topic |
Virtual reality -- Blind users Virtual reality -- Audio applications Virtual reality -- Multiple tools Computer systems -- Channel overload UCTD Blind -- Services for Access technologies Self-help devices for people with disabilities |
spellingShingle |
Virtual reality -- Blind users Virtual reality -- Audio applications Virtual reality -- Multiple tools Computer systems -- Channel overload UCTD Blind -- Services for Access technologies Self-help devices for people with disabilities Kruger, Rynhardt Pieter Virtual world accessibility: a multitool approach |
description |
Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. === ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Computer-based virtual worlds are increasingly used for activities which previously
required physical environments. However, in its mainstream form, such a virtual
world provides output on a graphical display and is thus inaccessible to a blind user.
To achieve accessibility for blind users, an alternative to graphical output must be
used. Audio and text are two output methods that can be considered. However,
when using audio, care must be taken not to overload the audio channel. Channel
overloading is possible with audio since it is not a selective output medium like the
visual channel, that is, the user cannot choose what he/she wants to hear. Text
should also be treated as audio, since a blind user consumes textual information as
synthesized speech. In this research we discuss one possible solution to the problem
of channel overloading, by the use of multiple exploration and navigation tools.
These tools should allow the user to shape the information provided as audio output.
Specially, we discuss the development of a virtual world client called Perspective, enabling non-visual access to virtual worlds by the use of multiple navigation and
exploration tools. Perspective also serves as a framework for tool implementation
and evaluation. Finally we give recommendations for improvements to current
virtual world building practices and protocols, as to work toward an accessibility
standard. === AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Rekenaargebaseerde virtuele wêrelde word toenemend gebruik vir aktiwiteite wat
voorheen fiesiese omgewings benodig het. Tog verskaf so 'n virtuele wêreld, in sy
standaard vorm, afvoer as 'n grafiese beeld en is dus ontoeganklik vir 'n blinde
gebruiker. Om toeganklikheid vir blinde gebruikers te bewerkstellig, moet 'n alternatief
vir die grafiese beeld gebruik word. Klank en teks is twee alternatiewe wat
beskou kan word. Tog moet klank versigtig gebruik word, aangesien die klankkanaal
oorlaai kan word. Die klankkanaal kan oorlaai word aangesien dit nie 'n selektiewe
kanaal soos die visuele kanaal is nie, met ander woorde, die gebruiker kan nie
kies wat hy/sy wil hoor nie. Teks moet ook as klank beskou word, aangesien 'n
blinde gebruiker teks in die vorm van gesintetiseerde spraak inneem. Met hierdie
navorsing bespreek ons een oplossing vir die probleem van kanaaloorlading, deur die
gebruik van verskeie navigasie- en verkenningsgereedskapstukke. Hierdie gereedskapstukke
behoort die gebruiker in staat te stel om die inligting wat as klank
oorgedra word, te bepaal. Ons bespreek spesi ek die ontwikkeling van 'n virtuele
wêreld-kliënt genaamd Perspective, wat nie-visuele toegang tot virtuele wêrelde
bewerkstellig deur die gebruik van meervoudige navigasie- en verkenningsgereedskapstukke.
Perspective dien ook as 'n raamwerk vir die ontwikkeling en evaluering
van gereedskapstukke. Laastens verskaf ons voorstelle vir verbeteringe van
die boutegnieke en protokolle van huidige virtuele wêrelde, as eerste stap na 'n
toeganklikheidsstandaard vir virtuele wêrelde. |
author2 |
Van Zijl, Lynette |
author_facet |
Van Zijl, Lynette Kruger, Rynhardt Pieter |
author |
Kruger, Rynhardt Pieter |
author_sort |
Kruger, Rynhardt Pieter |
title |
Virtual world accessibility: a multitool approach |
title_short |
Virtual world accessibility: a multitool approach |
title_full |
Virtual world accessibility: a multitool approach |
title_fullStr |
Virtual world accessibility: a multitool approach |
title_full_unstemmed |
Virtual world accessibility: a multitool approach |
title_sort |
virtual world accessibility: a multitool approach |
publisher |
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
publishDate |
2015 |
url |
http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/95932 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT krugerrynhardtpieter virtualworldaccessibilityamultitoolapproach |
_version_ |
1718164937546661888 |