October 28, 2004
Graphics for the blind: UW to help make Web images tactile
The UW has been awarded a $749,188 grant from the National Science Foundation to find the best ways to represent in tactile form the graphical images found in scientific, engineering and mathematical books, papers and digital formats for use by students with visual impairments. The researchers will also seek ways to automate the work as much as possible.
For many years, conversion of standard text to Braille output has been automated using Braille translation software along with refreshable Braille displays and Braille embossers, according to Richard Ladner, professor of computer science and engineering and principal investigator for the project. But, he explained, tedious handwork is usually required to convert graphical images into a tactile format. This cumbersome process presents a significant barrier to students with visual impairments who wish to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.
The current project will explore ways to automate the conversion of graphics from printed/electronic form to tactile format so that transcribers can efficiently convert graphical images to tactile form for students who are blind. Such a process would also allow blind and sighted users to automatically translate common types of graphical images like bar and line charts found on Web pages.
Melody Ivory-Ndiaye, of the Information School, Rajesh Rao of Computer Science and Engineering, and Sheryl Burgstahler of Computing & Communications are Co-PIs on the project.
“The transformation of graphs and charts to a tactile form requires the clever use of existing and new image processing and understanding techniques,” Ladner explained. “Multicolored images must be transformed into very low resolution images with few colors to be accessible tactually. In addition, all the text in the image must be enlarged, relocated, and converted to Braille. Solving these problems is a key component of the research.”
Ivory added, “We are most interested in developing a tool which fits within transcribers’ current work practices and enables them to meet the demand for image conversion in an efficient manner.”
Burgstahler reported that in University outreach projects, she works with students with all types of disabilities who are preparing for college programs and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. “Blind students with whom we work face significant barriers because of the challenges in converting graphical images to a tactile form,” she said. “An outcome of the current funded project will be to make this content more accessible to these capable students.”
For more information, consult http://tactilegraphics.ischool.washington.edu/.
