Department of Computer Science, University of Maryland, College Park
We are currently active in recruiting participants for the user study. If you are interested in the user study, please sign up at the end of this page.
Or click this link (https://forms.gle/TygrscpSgbFqi9h17)
Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged as a leading-edge technology in the realm of human-computer interaction and captivating users with its boundless possibilities and seamless integration of digital experiences. Despite its widespread popularity, VR encounters barriers to ensuring an inclusive and accessible environment for all users. The University of Maryland (UMD) research team is working on improving VR accessibility, which aims to bring an inclusive and immersive experience for blind and low-vision people.
We are recruiting blind or low-vision people who are interested in or have experience with virtual reality. Our study has been approved by UMD IRB package #2084992-1. The study includes an interview and a haptic feedback testing part. Participants will have the opportunity to try a new prototype that applies haptic feedback to the back of the user's hand as cues in a virtual reality environment.
Qualified participants of this research have to be blind adults or adults with low vision.
Where is the user study located:
The user study will be conducted in person.
The default location of the study is Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering at UMD, Room 0102. (Address: 8125 Paint Branch Dr, College Park, MD 20742)
If preferred, the research team will also be able to conduct the user study at the participant’s place or designated locations.
The user study may take about two hours. The participants will receive $30 per hour as monetary compensation after they successfully finish the study. Monetary compensation will be paid in cash or Amazon gift cards.
The study includes two parts.
First, the team will interview participants about their daily experiences, including using devices with haptic feedback, such as smartphones, and how they describe an object's location in their daily use. The participants may share their thoughts and experiences with any virtual reality experience. This part may last 30 minutes.
Second, participants will help the research team evaluate the two types of haptic feedback. Participants will learn how to use the haptic device under the virtual reality settings and be familiar with the haptic cue in this part. Then, the team will ask participants to feel the haptic cue on the back of the hand and speak out their feelings. After the task, the research team may ask several questions related to the device, the haptic feedback, and participants' feelings about the immersive experience.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this research, please do not hesitate to contact Jiasheng Li (jsli@umd.edu).
Thank you!
Small Artifacts Lab,
University of Maryland