CoUIM: crossover user interface model for inclusive computing

Abstract

Persons with disabilities can face considerable challenges accessing many computing systems, such as cloud computing. We created six low-cost user interfaces using: keyboard-based, touchable, speech-based, touch-less gesture, tactile, and then combined them all in one user interface termed Crossover User Interface Model (CoUIM). We measured inclusiveness, error occurrence, user performance, and user satisfaction though an IRB approved study of twenty-nine participants. We chose Xen cloud platform to evaluate our research. We focused on three groups of users: persons with no disability, persons with blind and visually impairment (B/VI), and persons with motor-impairment. When we combined several interactions in one user interface, results improved for persons with disability. Using CoUIM improved inclusiveness, error rate, user performance and even user satisfaction. Persons with motor disability needed a little more time to complete the same tasks in our study. In particular, we show that persons with blind and visually impairment (B/VI) can compete on equal footing with their sighted peers based on error rate and time to complete the tasks using CoUIM.