Audio-enabled graphical user interface for the blind or visually impaired

Abstract

An audible feedback scheme successfully allows a blind computer user to fully comprehend and utilize a windowed graphical user interface (GUl) in the same manner as a sighted user. The user controls a pointer on the display using a mouse or similar input device. As the pointer passes over windows, controls, and other graphical features, stereo sounds are generated by special software to convey the identity of the features. The sounds, which may combine musical tones, filtered noise, recorded sound effects, and synthesized speech, allow the user to probe and mentally map the graphical environment in a manner similar to using tactile feedback in the physical environment.<>