VIP-Sim: A User-Centered Approach to Vision Impairment Simulation for Accessible Design

TL;DR

VIP-Sim is a participatory-designed vision impairment simulator that helps designers understand VIPs' challenges, involving actual VIPs in its development and evaluation to improve accessibility tools.

Contribution

This paper introduces VIP-Sim, a novel, symptom-based vision simulator developed with VIP involvement, addressing gaps in existing tools and emphasizing user-centered design.

Findings

Most participants felt VIP-Sim accurately replicated their symptoms.

VIP-Sim was positively received by users.

Concerns remain about its comprehensiveness and representativeness.

Abstract

People with vision impairments (VIPs) often rely on their remaining vision when interacting with user interfaces. Simulating visual impairments is an effective tool for designers, fostering awareness of the challenges faced by VIPs. While previous research has introduced various vision impairment simulators, none have yet been developed with the direct involvement of VIPs or thoroughly evaluated from their perspective. To address this gap, we developed VIP-Sim. This symptom-based vision simulator was created through a participatory design process tailored explicitly for this purpose, involving N=7 VIPs. 21 symptoms, like field loss or light sensitivity, can be overlaid on desktop design tools. Most participants felt VIP-Sim could replicate their symptoms. VIP-Sim was received positively, but concerns about exclusion in design and comprehensiveness of the simulation remain, mainly whether it represents the experiences of other VIPs.