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Publications

Publications by Tânia Vilela Rocha

2016

Professor Piano: a music application for people with intellectual disabilities

Authors
Paulino, Dennis; Amaral, Duarte; Amaral, Mariana; Reis, Arsenio; Barroso, Joao; Rocha, Tania;

Publication
Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Software Development and Technologies for Enhancing Accessibility and Fighting Info-exclusion, DSAI 2016, Vila Real, Portugal, December 1-3, 2016

Abstract
In this paper it is presented a music application for people with intellectual disabilities, called "Professor Piano". We created this application to be a solution for music education for this group of people. For that we present the development and implementation of the app. We choose the virtual piano and the mobile devices as the basis for our solution. It was conducted an assessment of the current status and features of mobile applications also using this paradigm, from which we concluded that, currently, there is not a virtual piano application oriented to people with intellectual disabilities so we design, develop and tested a new application, the "Professor Piano". To validate the "Professor Piano" application approach, we evaluated the application usage by a group of people with intellectual disabilities, without having too much user experience with mobile technologies, with the aim to measure the effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction. We registered the following variables: success in a conclusion of a level (effectiveness); the percentage of correct notes played versus all notes of that level (efficiency); and the motivation at the end of the experience (satisfaction). The results obtained shows the interest and motivation of the users in playing with the application. In the four tests, three persons completed and wanted to continue the testing experience. This results also shows the importance of using an intuitive design and also of displaying the score at the end of each level, giving an extra boost to the user to replay or advance to the next level. © 2016 ACM.

2016

SAMi: An Accessible Web Application Solution for Video Search for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Authors
Rocha, T; Paredes, H; Barroso, J; Bessa, M;

Publication
COMPUTERS HELPING PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, PT II (ICCHP 2016)

Abstract
In this paper an accessible Web application that uses icons instead of text to performed YouTube video search, called SAMi, is presented. With this iconic interaction Web application (SAMi), we aimed to develop universal access on the Web, by presenting an alternative way of Web search (without using text); to be a starting point for the definition of an accessible interaction metaphor, based on universal design iconography for digital environments; and ultimately, to contribute to the democratization of access to the Web for all users, regardless of the degree of literacy. The main results obtained with the user test evaluation were: first-rate performance, higher satisfaction and total autonomy in their interaction with SAMi.

2016

Usability evaluation of an entertainment platform by people with intellectual disabilities

Authors
Rocha, T; Carvalho, D; Gonçalves, R; Martins, J; Branco, F; Bessa, M;

Publication
2016 11TH IBERIAN CONFERENCE ON INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES (CISTI)

Abstract
In this paper it is presented a usability evaluation of an entertainment platform, well-known, YouTube. The main aim is to study how people with intellectual disabilities interact with the layout and uses their search field option. We intended to observe and analyze performance and satisfaction but also if the interface can give them autonomy on the search option. The results show that participants had a good experience with the interface, however cannot be autonomy with the search option.

2017

AppVox: An Application to Assist People with Speech Impairments in Their Speech Therapy Sessions

Authors
Goncalves, C; Rocha, T; Reis, A; Barroso, J;

Publication
RECENT ADVANCES IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES, VOL 2

Abstract
In this study an application to assist people with speech impairments in their speech therapy sessions is presented. AppVox simulates a vocalizer (audio stimulus feature) that can be used to train speech by repeating different words. In this paper, we aim at presenting the application as an assistive technology option and assess if this is a usable option for digital interaction for children with speech impairment. To assess the application we present a case study in which the participants were asked to perform tasks using the AppVox application. The results showed that this group of participants attained a good performance when interacting with the application.

2017

Assistive Platforms for the Visual Impaired: Bridging the Gap with the General Public

Authors
Rocha, T; Fernandes, H; Reis, A; Paredes, H; Barroso, J;

Publication
RECENT ADVANCES IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES, VOL 2

Abstract
The visual impaired are a specific minority group that can benefit from specific assistive systems in order to mitigate their mobility and accessibility constrains. In the last decade, our research group has been integrating and developing assistive technologies, focused in human-computer interaction, artificial vision, assisted navigation, pervasive computing, among others. Several projects and prototypes have been developed with the main objective of improving the blind's autonomy, mobility, and quality of life. Currently the technology has reached a maturation point that allows the development of systems based on video capturing, image recognition and location referencing, which are key for providing features of artificial vision, assisted navigation and spatial perception. The miniaturization of electronics can be used to create devices such as electronic canes that equipped with sensors can provide so much more contextual information to a blind user. The adoption of these systems is dependent of an information catalogue regarding points of interest and their physical location reference. In this paper we describe the current work on assistive systems for the blind and propose a new perspective on using the base information of those systems to provide new services to the general public. By bridging the gap between the two groups, we expect to further advance the development of the current systems and contribute to their economic sustainability.

2017

MyCarMobile: A Travel Assistance Emergency Mobile App for Deaf People

Authors
Rocha, T; Paredes, H; Soares, D; Fonseca, B; Barroso, J;

Publication
HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION - INTERACT 2017, PT I

Abstract
Deaf people face serious communication problems. The use of smartphones has been explored as a solution for breaking communication barriers and enhancing their communication, by providing access to basic services. This paper explores the usage of iconographic interfaces in smartphones as a means for contributing to further autonomy for deaf people. We applied the model for asynchronous and non-verbal communication through iconographic and interactive flows to develop the MyCarMobile application, a travel assistance android mobile application for deaf people. Our research explores a solution which enables travel assistance services without involving audio, using an iconographic interface to report road accidents. A user centered design approach was applied in the development of the prototype and usability tests were performed with eleven deaf users, in order to validate the mobile application. The results revealed a good performance and user satisfaction when interacting with the application.

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