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Abstract We present an experimental investigation of spatial audio feedback using smartphones to support direction localization in pointing tasks for people with visual impairments (PVIs). We do this using a mobile game based on a bow-and-arrow metaphor. Our game provides a combination of spatial and non-spatial (sound beacon) audio to help the user locate the direction of the target. Our experiments with sighted, sighted-blindfolded, and visually impaired users shows that (a) the efficacy of spatial audio is relatively higher for PVIs than for blindfolded sighted users during the initial reaction time for direction localization, (b) the general behavior between PVIs and blind-folded individuals is statistically similar, and (c) the lack of spatial audio significantly reduces the localization performance even in sighted blind-folded users. Based on our findings, we discuss the system and interaction design implications for making future mobile-based spatial interactions accessible to PVIs. 

Abstract In this paper, we introduce a novel prototyping workflow, QuickProbe, that enables a user to create quick-and-dirty prototypes taking direct inspiration from existing physical objects. Our workflow is inspired by the notion of prototyping-in-context using physical scaffolds in digital environments. To achieve this we introduce a simple kinesthetic-geometric curve representation wherein we integrated the geometric representation of the curve with the virtual kinesthetic feedback. We test the efficacy of this kinesthetic-geometric curve representation through a qualitative user study conducted with ten participants. In this study, users were asked to generate wire-frame curve networks on top of the physical shapes by sampling multiple control points along the surface. We conducted two different sets of experiments in this work. In the first set of experiments, users were tasked with tracing the physical shape of the object. In the second set of experiments, the goal was to explore different artistic designs that the user could draw using the physical scaffolding of the shapes. Through our user studies, we showed the variety of designs that the users were able to create. We also evaluated the similarities and differences we observed between the two different sets of experiments. We further discuss the user feedback and the possible design scenarios where our QuickProbe workflow can be used.