Developing an interactive overview for non-visual exploration of tabular numerical information

摘要: This thesis investigates the problem of obtaining overview information from complex tabular numerical data sets non-visually. Blind and visually impaired people need to access analyse data, both in education professional occupations. Obtaining an is a necessary first step analysis, for which current non-visual accessibility methods offer little support. This describes new interactive parametric sonification technique called High-Density Sonification (HDS), facilitates process extracting easily efficiently by rendering multiple points as single auditory events. Beyond experimental studies showed that capabilities human perception cognition extract meaning HDS representations could be used reliably estimate relative arithmetic mean values within large sets. Following user-centred design methodology, was implemented primary form display multimodal interface TableVis. supports active exploration non-visually, making use proprioception maintain contextual during (non-visual focus+context), vibrotactile annotations (EMA-Tactons) can external memory aids prevent high mental workload levels, speech synthesis detailed on demand. A series empirical conducted quantify performance attained using done comparing with main (speech synthesis), quantifying effect different sizes user performance, resulted better than speech, this not heavily dependent size set. In addition, levels subjective tasks TableVis were investigated, resulting proposal EMA-Tactons, add order working saturation most demanding scenarios. An evaluation found EMA-Tactons significantly reduced tasks. Thus, work described provides basis broad range tables offering techniques quickly, performing perceptual estimations descriptors (relative mean) managing demands through annotations, while seamlessly linking explorations at detail preserving spatial representation metaphors support collaboration sighted users.