Empirical validation of the Windows® accessibility settings and multimodal feedback for a menu selection task for users with Diabetic Retinopathy

• Published in: Behaviour & information technology Vol. 24; no. 6; pp. 419 - 434
• Main Authors: Jacko, J.A., Barnard, L., Yi, J.S., Edwards, P.J., Leonard, V.K., Kongnakorn, T., Moloney, K.P., Sainfort, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Taylor & Francis Ltd 01.11.2005; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Computer applications; Diabetic retinopathy; Diagnosis; Exact sciences and technology; Health care; Information and communication sciences; Information science. Documentation; Library and information science. General aspects; Medicine; Sciences and techniques of general use; Software; Usability; Usability testing; Use and user studies. Information needs; Design; Handicap; Disadvantaged user; Retinopathy; Accessibility; Visual impairment; User interface; Diabetes mellitus; Selection; User study; Computer; Use study
• ISSN: 0144-929X; 1362-3001
• DOI: 10.1080/01449290512331335627

This study investigates the effectiveness of two design interventions, the Microsoft® Windows® accessibility settings and multimodal feedback, aimed at the enhancement of a menu selection task, for users with diabetic retinopathy (DR) with stratified levels of visual dysfunction. Several menu selection task performance measures, both time- and accuracy-based, were explored across different interface conditions and across groups of participants stratified by different degrees of vision loss. The results showed that the Windows® accessibility settings had a significant positive impact on performance for participants with DR. Moreover, multimodal feedback had a negligible effect for all participants. Strategies for applying multimodal feedback to menu selection are discussed, as well as the potential benefits and drawbacks of the Windows® accessibility settings.