Accessibility of Apple iPad for partially sighted users: pilot study
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a pilot trial, investigating the accessibility provided by a tablet computer (Apple iPad) to individuals with visual impairment. The study was designed around an N-of-1 randomised controlled trial (RCT), which was replicated for 12 participants. It served as an opportunity to evaluate the use N-of-1 trials in studies involving people who are visually impaired.
Design/methodology/approach
The study centred round an N-of-1 RCT, comparing the accessibility provided by control equipment (Windows computer) against the intervention equipment (Apple iPad). Twelve participants conducted six tests on the equipment as per randomisation, followed by a quantitative-based evaluation and short interviews.
Findings
One-sided individual randomisation tests showed a significant result for overall satisfaction in favour of the tablet at the 0.05 significance level for seven of the participants. Participants identified several strengths of the iPad in helping a partially sighted user in accessing the internet: inbuilt zoom and magnification options; increased control as a result of the touch screen; and accessibility tools being built into the operating system. The main limitation suggested was the way the zoom function operates by enlarging the onscreen keyboard. This caused difficulties for those with more severe visual impairments using this function in inputting text.
Originality/value
There has been limited research to substantiate positive reviews of the tablet computer for low-vision users. The results of this pilot study gives evidence in support of these potential benefits, and demonstrates the importance of a more thorough investigation.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was partially supported by a small development loan from School of Education, University of Birmingham. The authors would also like to thank Robin Spinks and Steve Griffiths from Royal National Institute of Blind People, and Patrick Redmond from Queen Alexandra College for helping to identify participants for the study, and providing facilities for the testing sessions, along with Professor Chad Nye from University of Central Florida who reviewed the study protocol. Finally, the authors would like to thank Apple for loaning an iPad to help carry out this work, and Royal National Institute of Blind People for helping arrange this. This research was carried out in partial fulfilment of an MSc Applied Statistics from Sheffield Hallam University.
Citation
Hewett, R., Torgerson, C. and Douglas, G. (2014), "Accessibility of Apple iPad for partially sighted users: pilot study", Journal of Assistive Technologies, Vol. 8 No. 1, pp. 2-13. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAT-09-2013-0029
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited