An exploratory study on blind users� mental model in computer accessibility

The growing needs in the area of HCI has led to many new researches focusing on user-centric design, investigating the problems faced by a computer user and ways to produce an effective yet efficient design. Often, designers need to acquire the knowledge and the experience of the users to produce a good interface design. This can be referred as a wise exploitation of user�s mental model. The paper serves as a preliminary study which explores the mental model of blind users as a contribution in improving the accessibility of computer applications. Based on the blind user�s perception, imagination and interpretation, the study indicates that touch sensation plays an important role in improving the representation of a computer application to them. Associating touch sensation with information familiar to the blind users enhances the learning process. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015.