Determining the Accessibility of Mobile Screen Readers for Blind Users

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

One participant described issues viewing PDF documents using Talks on a Nokia N82 handset.

“One participant described issues viewing PDF documents using Talks on a Nokia N82 handset.”

May combine two claims.

Reasons for participants' screen reader selection depended on recommendations received from other blind users, compatibility of the screen reader with their existing mobile device, the cost of screen reading software, and whether any level of training would be offered.

“Reasons for their selection depended on the following factors: recommendations received from other blind users, compatibility of the screen reader with their existing mobile device, the cost of screen reading software, and whether any level of training would be offered.”

May combine two claims.

Novice users reported experiencing challenges accessing the calendar functionality, using the on-screen help and accessing the camera to take photos for sighted family and friends.

“Novice users also reported experiencing challenges accessing the calendar functionality, using the on-screen help and accessing the camera to take photos for sighted family and friends.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Although all participants had previous experience of using screen readers, only thirty participants currently used them.

“Although all had previous experience of using screen readers, only thirty participants currently used them.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

5 of the 26 legally blind participants using assistive technologies were currently using touch screen mobile devices.

“5 of the 26 legally blind participants using assistive technologies were currently using touch screen mobile devices (including the Apple iPhone 8 , HTC TouchPro2 9 and HTC XV6800”

May combine two claims.

4 intermediate users described specific difficulties associated with web browsing, including gaining overviews of lengthy text-heavy web pages, and changing system modes to explore online forms and enter information into form boxes using the virtual cursor.

“4 intermediate users described specific difficulties associated with web browsing.These included gaining overviews of lengthy text-heavy web pages, and changing system modes to explore online forms and enter information into form boxes, using the virtual cursor.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The majority of participants interviewed used either MobileSpeak (11 participants) or Talks (12 participants) as their primary screen reader.

“The majority of participants interviewed used either MobileSpeak (11 participants) or Talks (12 participants) as their primary screen reader.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

26 of the participants described themselves as legally blind, and 6 described themselves as partially-sighted where they were unable to rely completely on their residual vision.

“26 of the participants who described themselves as legally blind, and 6 described themselves as partiallysighted where they were unable to rely completely on their residual vision.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

No participants were found using devices developed specifically for the blind community (e.g. Braille based devices or screenless phones).

“No participants were found using devices developed specifically for the blind community (e.g.Braille based devices or screenless phones).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The study interviewed 32 participants from multiple countries including the United States, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom.

“A total of 32 participants (20 male, 16 female) were interviewed from multiple countries including the United States, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom.”

May combine two claims.

Responses tended to vary depending on the make of screen reader, and the users' experience interacting with the software.

“Responses tended to vary depending on the make of screen reader, and the users' experience interacting with the software.”

The quote only partly states this claim.

Problems accessing calendar, on-screen help and camera were attributed to the inappropriate presentation of speech-based feedback, making it challenging to identify changes to system state and system events.

“Problems were attributed to the inappropriate presentation of speech-based feedback, making it challenging to identify changes to system state and system events.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Although some sites were slow to access, participants suggested that some mobile sites were easier to navigate and contained less extraneous information compared with their PC equivalents (e.g. Facebook Mobile).

“Although some sites were slow to access, participants suggested that some mobile sites were easier to navigate and contained less extraneous information compared with their PC equivalents (e.g.Facebook Mobile”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

This enabled the participant to bypass extraneous information.

“This would enable the participant to bypass extraneous information.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

When asked to rate their mobile screen reader skill level, 9 participants rated themselves as beginner, 12 as intermediate, and 11 as expert users.

“When asked to rate their mobile screen reader skill level as beginner, intermediate, or advanced, participants rated themselves as follows: 9 at beginner level where basic functionality was accessed or they were learning how to use screen readers, 12 participants as intermediate, and 11 as expert users where advanced features of screen readers were often used.”

May combine two claims.

While participants suggested it was possible to use a key-press phone while in motion, the case would be different using a touch screen phone.

“While participants suggested that it was possible to use a key-press phone while in motion, the case would be different using a touch screen phone.”

May combine two claims.

When asked about strategies for locating objects on the interface, participants had tried to simplify the process by arranging icons in order of common usage, or using different navigational styles to traverse content.

“When asked about their strategies for locating objects on the interface, it appeared that the participants had tried to simplify the process by arranging icons in order of common usage, or using different navigational styles to traverse content.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The 5 touch screen phone users rated themselves as intermediate or advanced users.

“The 5 touch screen phone users rated themselves as intermediate or advanced users.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

More salient cues were requested to gain the user's attention, especially within inhospitable environments or when walking and vibrations could not be detected.

“More salient cues were requested, to gain the user's attention, especially within inhospitable environments or when walking and vibrations could not be detected.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The participant stated that this workaround was not perfect, as he would sometimes overshoot important information by positioning his finger on the 'virtual key' for long periods of time.

“While this offered an alternative to using gestures (e.g. a sliding movement), the participant stated that this workaround was not perfect, as he would sometimes overshoot important information by positioning his finger on the 'virtual key' for long periods of time.”

May combine two claims.

Inbuilt screen readers were not rated highly, as their functionality was not thought to parallel third party products.

“Inbuilt screen readers were not rated highly, as their functionality was not thought to parallel third party products.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Only one participant mentioned the need for integrating Braille with more mobile phones.

“Only one participant mentioned the need for integrating Braille with more mobile phones.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Another participant commented that when a phone call was received while reading a web page, once the call ended, the screen reader cursor would jump to the beginning of the web page.

“Another participant commented that when a phone call was received while reading a web page, once the call had ended, the screen reader cursor would jump to the beginning of the web page.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Similar to Kane et al. [10], participants suggested the idea of a system which was aware of the environment and context of use.

“Similar to Kane et al. [10], participants suggested the idea of a system which was aware of the environment and context of use.”

• cites [10] 10. D. McGookin, S.A. Brewster & W. Jiang. Investigating touchscreen accessibility for people with visual impairments. Proc. NordiCHI'08, 2008, 298-307. sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Many advanced users praised the universal accessibility of the iPhone.

“Many of advanced users questioned praised the universal accessibility of the iPhone.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

There were worries that background noise from real-world environments may impact perception of the results.

“Although there were worries that background noise from real-world environments may impact perception of the results.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

A need was expressed to integrate location finding applications with more accessible mapping tools.

“A need was expressed to integrate location finding applications with more accessible mapping tools.”

May combine two claims.

Participants would ordinarily lower audio from mobile applications to make screen reader output audible, but this was not always possible.

“Participants would ordinarily lower audio from the mobile applications to make screen reader output audible, but this was not always possible.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

24 participants additionally suggested that caller details should be presented more effectively, where the privacy of the caller would not be compromised, for example presented in an alternative format to speech.

“24 participants additionally suggested that caller details should be presented more effectively, where the privacy of the caller would not be compromised (e.g.presented in an alternative format to speech).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

18 participants suggested that a system which enabled them to navigate unfamiliar environments would be very helpful to gain independence.

“18 participants suggested that a system which enabled them to navigate unfamiliar environments would be very helpful to gain independence.”

May combine two claims.

A general theme of frustration was detected due to the limited choice in accessible mobile devices, and that third party screen readers were only compatible with certain handsets, which may not be available within the user's local area.

“A general theme of frustration was detected due to the limited choice in accessible mobile devices, and that third party screen readers were only compatible with certain handsets, which may not be available within the user's local area.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

A need was identified for providing more awareness of spatial position on the page and bookmarking areas on the interface for future access.

“A need was identified for providing more awareness of spatial position on the page, and bookmarking areas on the interface for future access.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Participants were generally excited about the development of applications which could aid users gain an overview of the wider environment.

“Participants were generally excited about the development of applications which could aid users gain an overview of the wider environment (e.g. the Siri 13 application, where the user voices a question about his/her location or places within close reach).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Participants suggested presenting summaries of content to help users identify whether a page or application was useful to read in its entirety.

“Suggestions included the presentation of summaries of content, to help users identify whether the page or application was useful to read in its entirety.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

5 advanced users had previous experience of using touch screens.

“5 advanced users had previous experience of using touch screens.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

One participant used the 'joystick' mode to quickly scan content by keeping his finger depressed on a section of the touch screen interface corresponding to the direction of movement.

“For example, one participant who had used a Nokia touch screen device with MobileSpeak used the 'joystick' mode to quickly scan content, by keeping his finger depressed on a section of the touch screen interface which corresponded to the direction of movement (termed a 'virtual key').”

May combine two claims.

Novice users were less likely to customize verbosity, favoring longer speech-based output, anxious that key content would be missed if speech output was condensed.

“However, novice users suggested that they were less likely to customize verbosity, favoring the longer speechbased output, anxious that key content would be missed, if speech output was condensed.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Some gestures were thought to be more complex compared to gestures made by sighted users when interacting with the phone.

“However, some of these gestures were thought to be more complex, compared to the gestures made by sighted users when interacting with the phone (e.g. two or three fingers used).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The 'snowball effect' recruitment enabled the study to capture data from individuals who were less 'tech-savvy' when using a mobile phone with screen reader.

“This enabled us to also capture data from individuals were less 'tech-savvy' when using a mobile phone with screen reader.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

A recent WebAIM study revealed that 66.7% of participants surveyed used mobile screen readers, with larger numbers of novices utilizing these technologies.

“A recent study by WebAIM [20] revealed that 66.7% of participants surveyed used mobile screen readers, with larger numbers of novices utilizing these technologies.”

• cites [20]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Barriers to mobile access can be attributed to the design of content on the graphical user interface coupled with restrictions of assistive technologies.

“Barriers to mobile access can be attributed to the design of content on the graphical user interface, coupled with restrictions of assistive technologies.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Menus can contain as many as 12 items, buried within hierarchies four levels deep.

“According to St. Amant et al. [16], menus can contain as many as 12 items, buried within hierarchies four levels deep.”

• cites St. Amant et al. [16]Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Providing access to a handset is required by law in some countries.

“Providing access to a handset is not only a matter of good practice by manufacturers, it is required by law in some countries [17].”

• cites [17] 17. T. Watanabe, M. Miyagi, K. Minatani & H. Nagaoka. A survey on the use of mobile phones by visually impaired persons in Japan. Proc. ICCHP '08, 2008, 1081-1084. sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The emergence of screen readers on devices such as the Apple iPhone have gone some way towards alleviating the lack of positional awareness of objects on the interface.

“However, the emergence of screen readers on devices such as the Apple iPhone have gone some way towards alleviating the lack of positional awareness of objects on the interface, discussed later in the paper.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

The case is more complex for individuals who are blind, who use assistive technologies such as screen readers to translate visual content into an accessible format.

“The case is more complex for individuals who are blind, who use assistive technologies (e.g.screen readers) to translate the visual content in to an accessible format.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Deep menu hierarchies can be cumbersome to traverse.

“and deep menu hierarchies [16] which can be cumbersome to traverse.”

• cites [16] 16. The World in 2011: ICT facts & figures. International Telecommunications Union. Available: http://www.itu.int/Not checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Navigation through an interface can be cumbersome because users are forced to move sequentially item-by-item until they reach their intended target, placing additional demands on the user's memory.

“Navigation through an interface can be cumbersome, as users are forced to move sequentially item-by-item until they reach their intended target, placing additional demands on the user's memory.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

If graphical icons on the mobile screen are inappropriately labelled or are not accessible via the screen reader, it can lead to problems gaining an overview of interface content.

“If graphical icons on the mobile screen are inappropriately labelled, or are not accessible via the screen reader, it can lead to problems gaining an overview of interface content.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Due to the lack of positional awareness of objects on mobile interfaces, blind users may need to be shown the locations of on-screen items by a sighted person, or may require an alternative accessible interface; in the worst case, they may be completely unable to use the device.

“Due to the lack of positional awareness of objects on mobile interfaces, Kane et al. [7] suggest that blind users may need to be shown the locations of on-screen items by a sighted person, or may require an alternative accessible interface.In the worst case scenario, they may be completely unable to use the device [7].”

• cites Kane et al. [7] 7. S.K. Kane, J.P. Bigham & J.O. Wobbrock. Slide Rule: Making mobile touch screens accessible to blind people using multi-touch interaction techniques. Proc. ASSETS'08, 2008, 73-80.Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The auditory presentation can lead to the formation of a representation which is linear, rather than the rich, spatial layout presented on a phone.

“The auditory presentation can lead to the formation of a representation which is linear, rather than the rich, spatial layout presented on a phone.”

May combine two claims.

While difficulties continue to be faced with inaccessible content, processing multiple streams of audio and remembering interface layout, participants were able to overcome specific challenges using workarounds.

“While difficulties continue to be faced with inaccessible content, processing multiple streams of audio and remembering interface layout, participants were able to overcome specific challenges using workarounds.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The 32 participants are representative of blind mobile screen reader users more broadly.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The low mention of Braille integration could be explained by Braille not being the preferred medium of all users.

“However, this could be explained by Braille not being the preferred medium of all users [2,12].”

• cites [2] 2. I. Bruce, A. McKennell, & E. Walker. Blind and partially sighted adults in Britain: the RNIB Survey. HMSO, 1991.Not checked — no full text of the source
• cites [12] 12. M.M. Rana. The innovative design and development of web services for visually impaired. Unpublished DPhil Thesis, Anglia Ruskin University, UK.Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

A study by Rana [13] has shown that 90% of problems interacting with interfaces using assistive technologies can be addressed by using advanced hardware technologies and through training or professional coaching.

“A study by Rana [13] has shown that 90% of problems interacting with interfaces using assistive technologies can be addressed by using advanced hardware technologies and through training or professional coaching.”

• cites [13] 13. M.M. Rana & U. Rana. Accessibility evaluation of iPhone's user interface for visually impaired. Proc. IASTED IMSA'09, 2009, 164-167.Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

Due to limitations in the size and form factor of mobile devices, and the lack of a full sized keyboard, ensuring that commands are identical between a PC and a phone is impractical.

“However, we recognize that, due to the limitations in the size and form factor of mobile devices, and the lack of a full sized keyboard, ensuring that commands are identical between a PC and a phone is impractical.”