Anne DeWitte

Anne DeWitte

Tangible Surface Research, LLC

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Project Resultsvisually impairedtactile iconshome appliancesHALOStactile overlaybraille appliance overlaysbump dotsbumpdotsrochester makerspacecricutjo-ann fabricshciaccessibilityacmrit
Published on Jan 25, 2017

Abstract

Appliance overlays using tactile icons promote self-sufficiency in the home for people who are visually impaired.  The tactile icons identify the location and function of buttons on home appliances...

Project Results
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Published on Jun 24, 2016

Overlays now available for purchase

Hi Backers,Since the experiment ended I have continued to work on the overlays - more tactile icon development with RIT Professor Deborah Beardslee and student Emma Echols, plus extensive in-home t...

visually impaired
tactile icons
home appliances
HALOS
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Published on May 08, 2016

Testing tactile appliance overlays for the visually impaired in their homes

Though the experiment has ended the overlay development has continued. Appliance overlays are installed in three homes and so far the results are great! The goal is to help visual...

visually impaired
tactile icons
home appliances
tactile overlay
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Published on Jan 24, 2016

Tactile Icons

What are tactile icons? Shapes that have meaning.Why not use braille labels? Braille is preferred by some visually impaired people but it is not a universal design. Tactile icons, just like visu...

tactile icons
braille
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Published on Jan 23, 2016

Experiment Complete. Thank you!

Done! Look at the Results section for the summary, analysis and future directions. Thank you backers!Thank you Joe Kells, Rene Latorre and all the test participants at the Associa...

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Published on Jan 01, 2016

Appliance Overlays

Four appliance overlays were tested. I will explain why these overlays were selected and how they were made. Let me know if you have any questions.Bump Dot Overlay What is it? A s...

appliance overlays
bump dots
bumpdots
rochester makerspace
cricut
jo-ann fabrics
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Published on Nov 30, 2015

RIT School of Design Students Continuing Tactile Icon Development

Last month at the RIT Effective Access Technology Conference, Professor Deborah Beardslee stopped by our booth and learned about the study. She thought the tactile icon activity would be a great o...

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Published on Nov 19, 2015

Testing is complete!

Hello Team!Testing was completed at ABVI on Monday 11/16/15. Now to crunch the numbers. Thank you to the test participants! Here are a couple pictures. There will ...

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Published on Nov 19, 2015

Touch Surface Experiment at the RIT Effective Access Technology Conference

Hello Team!It has been a very busy two weeks. Thank you for making all this possible. On Tuesday 11/10/2015, we participated in the RIT Effective Access Technology Conference as an exhibitor. We...

visually impaired
hci
accessibility
acm
rit
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Show more updates
Hello Don, our local organzation - the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI) will be spreading the word. Also I may find someone to produce a simple video. I've tried to make contacts with the larger advocacy organizations but no luck. To them I'm just another vendor trying to sell stuff. I will stick with the grass roots effort. If people like it, word will spread. Other ideas are welcome. Thanks Don!
Jun 27, 2016
Designing touch surfaces to help the visually impaired operate home appliances
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Thank you Don. It is inspiring and motivating to work with the ABVI test participants, especially Kirstyn Smith who dedicated an afternoon to evaluate overlays developed by the RIT students. We are on the right track. Support from you and the rest of the backers make this all happen!
Dec 01, 2015
Designing touch surfaces to help the visually impaired operate home appliances
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Recommended reading - http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/11/21/456804340/when-a-stranger-leaves-you-125-million. Gives you insight into the visually impaired culture.
Nov 22, 2015
Designing touch surfaces to help the visually impaired operate home appliances
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Hi Steve Great comments! Here we go… Regarding form _follows_ function, I’ll post a lab note voicing the desired state once I have received all the input from the test. From what I have observed so far, aesthetics are important, even to people that are totally blind. Stay tuned for that note. Thank you for reminding us of this powerful concept. Regarding the comment about designers should know better. My hope is that developers and designers are constantly looking to make their products better and to use their skills for quality and meaningful outcomes. Yes there are tradeoffs and compromises, but I think developers and designers often get caught in a Dilbert-like world. For an extreme case, I wonder how many engineers developed and knew about the VW diesel emissions deception? Let’s promote #engineersforgood
Nov 15, 2015
Designing touch surfaces to help the visually impaired operate home appliances
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Thank you for the comments! I'm encouraged to hear from you because you validated a benefit of the overlays - to make all the buttons accessible. On the flip side, someone wanted an overlay to 'hide' certain controls from an elderly person in the home. The overlays are custom-made following a fairly simple process so both identifying and hiding controls is possible. Great idea for the exercise equipment! I'll look at some equipment and test our current overlay material. Silicon probably will last longer though I really love the cheap shelf liner! Thanks again for the support and for reaching out. Stay tuned for more updates on the study.
Oct 16, 2015
Designing touch surfaces to help the visually impaired operate home appliances
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Thanks Kris. Thanks to the Dojo Cafe Crew for their support. You guys are awesome!
Oct 16, 2015
Designing touch surfaces to help the visually impaired operate home appliances
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Hi Steve! Excellent point. I thought of adding a registration point or shape for the test but a raised frame is a much better idea. Most microwave control panels have well-defined edges but I noticed that many refrigerator control panels are very smooth and blend in with the doors. Same with your stove example. I'll add a reference frame to the test fixture. Great comment Steve! Much appreciated.
Oct 16, 2015
Designing touch surfaces to help the visually impaired operate home appliances
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One of our requirements is to make the tactile cues fit in blended environments - where sighted and low vision people share the appliances. We want to find a solution that is functional and looks good. Thanks for the support!
Sep 18, 2015
Designing touch surfaces to help the visually impaired operate home appliances
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