Substitution for a restricted visual channel in multimodal computer-human dialogue

A workstation that uses a multimodal approach to video-screen substitution for the visually impaired computer user-programmer or applications specialist is described, and the results of an experiment that compared performance using a working prototype of the design to performance using a conventional key-controlled talking terminal, are presented. An improvement in performance that was both statistically and practically significant was found. Furthermore, the design was preferred by members of the target population. The study also noted that a computer screen is a less than optimal substitute for printed documents, especially books, even for sighted users