Wheeler: A Three-Wheeled Input Device for Usable, Efficient, and Versatile Non-Visual Interaction

TL;DR

Wheeler is a three-wheeled input device designed to improve non-visual UI navigation for blind users, enabling faster and more versatile interaction with complex applications.

Contribution

The paper introduces Wheeler, a novel three-wheeled device that allows blind users to navigate multi-level UI hierarchies more efficiently and with greater versatility than traditional methods.

Findings

40% reduction in navigation time with Wheeler

Enables navigation of up to three hierarchical levels

Supports versatile tasks like 2D cursor manipulation

Abstract

Blind users rely on keyboards and assistive technologies like screen readers to interact with user interface (UI) elements. In modern applications with complex UI hierarchies, navigating to different UI elements poses a significant accessibility challenge. Users must listen to screen reader audio descriptions and press relevant keyboard keys one at a time. This paper introduces Wheeler, a novel three-wheeled, mouse-shaped stationary input device, to address this issue. Informed by participatory sessions, Wheeler enables blind users to navigate up to three hierarchical levels in an app independently using three wheels instead of navigating just one level at a time using a keyboard. The three wheels also offer versatility, allowing users to repurpose them for other tasks, such as 2D cursor manipulation. A study with 12 blind users indicates a significant reduction (40%) in navigation time compared to using a keyboard. Further, a diary study with our blind co-author highlights Wheeler's additional benefits, such as accessing UI elements with partial metadata and facilitating mixed-ability collaboration.