Computer Access for Persons Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired: Human Factors Issues

Suitably adapted computers hold considerable potential for integrating people who are blind or visually impaired into the mainstream. The principal problems that preclude the achievement of this potential are human factors issues. These issues are discussed, and the problems presented by icon-based interfaces are reviewed. An argument is offered that these issues, which ostensibly pertain to the blind or visually impaired user, are fundamental issues confronting all users. There is reason to hope that the benefits of research into the human factors issues of people with vision impairments will also extend to the sighted user.