Towards Fully Accessible Digital Content: A Haptic-VR Workflow for Blind Users
Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: This work proposes a novel workflow for enabling non-visual access to digital images via immersive and mobile platforms. The process involves image acquisition, semantic simplification, and conversion into a tactile-friendly 2.5D virtual bas-relief. Blind users explore the content using haptic gloves and spatial tracking within a VR environment, allowing real-time interaction with graphical elements. This approach aims to provide a tactile and spatial understanding of visual content originally intended for sighted users, enabling more inclusive access to digital media on devices such as laptops and tablets.
Authors: Anna Richelli, Nicol Stocchetti, Clara Gasparini, Stefano Montanari, Luca Rozzini, Francesco Gringoli
Institution: University of Brescia
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Reduced inequalities
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W7090249165