Technology Developments in Touch-Based Accessible Graphics: A Systematic Review of Research 2010-2020

TL;DR

This systematic review analyzes 292 publications from 2010 to 2020 on touch-based accessible graphics for the visually impaired, highlighting technological impacts, research trends, and areas needing further development.

Contribution

It is the first comprehensive review of touch-based accessible graphics research, assessing technological influence and identifying gaps in application and evaluation.

Findings

Increase in publications post-2014 due to new technologies

Need for broader application areas including workplaces

Call for more user participation and in situ evaluation

Abstract

This paper presents a systematic literature review of 292 publications from 97 unique venues on touch-based graphics for people who are blind or have low vision, from 2010 to mid-2020. It is the first review of its kind on touch-based accessible graphics. It is timely because it allows us to assess the impact of new technologies such as commodity 3D printing and low-cost electronics on the production and presentation of accessible graphics. As expected our review shows an increase in publications from 2014 that we can attribute to these developments. It also reveals the need to: broaden application areas, especially to the workplace; broaden end-user participation throughout the full design process; and conduct more in situ evaluation. This work is linked to an online living resource to be shared with the wider community.