Exploring the Impact of Word Prediction Assistive Features on Smartphone Keyboards for Blind Users

Highlights•Identified accessibility issues related to word prediction on smartphone keyboards through an experiment with blind users.•Studies show blind users prefer default keyboard, disabling word prediction due to frustration from frequent editing of typing errors.•Proposed recommendations to enhance word prediction accessibility for users, emphasizing the need for more efficient editing methods.AbstractAssistive technologies have been developed to enhance blind users' typing performance, focusing on speed, accuracy, and effort reduction. One such technology is word prediction software, designed to minimize keystrokes required for text input. This study investigates the impact of word prediction on typing performance among blind users using an on-screen QWERTY keyboard. We conducted a comparative study involving eleven blind participants, evaluating both standard QWERTY input and word prediction-assisted typing. Our findings reveal that while word prediction slightly improves typing speed, it does not enhance typing accuracy and increases both physical and temporal workload compared to the default keyboard. We conclude with recommendations for improving word prediction systems, including more efficient editing methods and the integration of voice pitch variations to aid error recognition.