BrailleCompute : A calculator for the blind

Sammanfattning

A calculator is a powerful tool which many use in their day to day life, but the digital display unfortunately makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to be used by someone who is visually impaired. This thesis covers how a prototype meant as a replacement for a calculator, that can be used by a visually impaired individual, was created. The main problems presented was how the device would be made accessible and operable by someone with little to no sight. In order to achieve a high level of accessibility the use of braille in both the input and output mechanisms was implemented, as well as auditory stimuli to further accessibility during input. To determine the BrailleCompute’s functionality and accessibility a visually impaired individual helped test the device which concluded in positive results about using the device as a replacement for a regular calculator for the visually impaired. The prototype does however have room for improvement, which has been made easy since both the input and output mechanisms were constructed with the intention of being able to add or change any element. This comes in the form of keys on the keypad intentionally being left blank so more can be added, and the use of conveyor belts with links where new ones can be added or swapped out.