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...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Kruger, Rynhardt Pieter
Other Authors: Van Zijl, Lynette
Format: Others
Language:en_ZA
Published: Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University 2015
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/95932
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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
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