Map Learning with a 3D Printed Interactive Small-Scale Model: Improvement of Space and Text Memorization in Visually Impaired Students

Three-Dimensional Models of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Eggs from Light Microscopy Images

The World Health Organization indicates that more than 1.5 billion people are infected with geohelminths. Soil-transmitted helminths prevail mostly in tropical and subtropical regions, in areas with inadequate hygiene and sanitation conditions, and basic health education problems. Nematode eggs are structures of resistance and infection by fecal–oral transmission. When STH eggs are ingested, they can infect the potential host, causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, anemia, malnutrition, and physical-cognitive impacts in children. Taking advantage of the increasing employment of three-dimensional models of these structured based on light microscopy images to improve the research area and education could be an alternative to improve health education and spread scientific information on transmission and prevention. The objective of this work was to produce 3D printed models from bi-dimensional images of eggs based on their real morphological and morphometric characteristics. The virtual models were reconstructed from the acquisition and selection of images obtained using light microscopy. After selecting referential images, we constructed the models based on the vectorization of the egg structures. After vectorization, 3D modeling was performed and printed in PLA. 3D models have a high potential to contribute to the advanced morphological studies and teaching of parasitological sciences, enriching the teaching-learning process applicable in presential or remote teaching of basic education, undergraduate, and post-graduation classes.

Design Guidelines for an Interactive 3D Model as a Supporting Tool for Exploring a Cultural Site by Visually Impaired and Sighted People

Being able to explore and familiarise themselves with the structure and details of a cultural site before actually visiting it is fundamental for orienting visually impaired people during the visit; otherwise, it is particularly difficult to gain a global understanding of the structure and an overall impression of a square, a church, or a large monument. Our project addressed this problem by using low cost 3D models combined with audio descriptions to enable visually impaired users to explore the cultural site autonomously. Audio descriptions are organised into three groups (for historical, practical, and architectural information), and for each group, several tracks are recorded giving increasing levels of details. Users can easily navigate through the audio tracks to follow their tactile exploration by listening to the information they are most interested in. Relevant details are reproduced separately and linked to the main model via the audio tracks. A goal of our model is to enhance the understanding of the cultural site also for partially sighted as well as sighted people, making them able to appreciate the details of the architectural design using both visual and auditory senses. We exploited low-cost and partially open-source technologies, thus rendering our system easily replicable. We evaluated the interactive system with blind, partially sighted, and sighted users. Our user test confirmed the validity of our approach: (1) the 3D models and the tactile reproduction of details obtained via a low-cost 3D printing solution are well perceived by touch; (2) the semantic auditory information activated via perceptible buttons on demand and the different content levels for the audio tracks are suitable for an interactive, autonomous, and satisfying exploration; and (3) relevant details are well perceived. Finally, we propose guidelines to use in the 3D reproduction of buildings or large sites based on our experience.

X-Road

Orientation and Mobility (O8M) classes teach people with visual impairments how to navigate the world; for instance, how to cross a road. Yet, this training can be difficult and dangerous due to conditions such as traffic and weather. Virtual Reality (VR) can overcome these challenges by providing interactive controlled environments. However, most existing VR tools rely on visual feedback, which limits their use with students with visual impairment. In a collaborative design approach with O8M instructors, we designed an affordable and accessible VR system for O8M classes, called X-Road. Using a smartphone and a Bespoke headmount, X-Road provides both visual and audio feedback and allows users to move in space as in the real world. In a study with 13 students with visual impairments, X-Road proved to be an effective alternative to teaching and learning classical O8M tasks, and both students and instructors were enthusiastic about this technology. We conclude with design recommendations for inclusive VR systems.

Comparing Interaction Techniques to Help Blind People Explore Maps on Small Tactile Devices

Exploring geographic maps on touchscreens is a difficult task in the absence of vision as those devices miss tactile cues. Prior research has therefore introduced non-visual interaction techniques designed to allow visually impaired people to explore spatial configurations on tactile devices. In this paper, we present a study in which six blind and six blindfolded sighted participants evaluated three of those interaction techniques compared to a screen reader condition. We observed that techniques providing guidance result in a higher user satisfaction and more efficient exploration. Adding a grid-like structure improved the estimation of distances. None of the interaction techniques improved the reconstruction of the spatial configurations. The results of this study allow improving the design of non-visual interaction techniques that support a better exploration and memorization of maps in the absence of vision.