Requirements gathering and domain understanding for assistive technology to support low vision and sighted students

Abstract

Accessibility often concerns compatibility with third-party software in order to meet the needs of users who are disabled. The AccessLecture/Math project seeks to transform the Apple iPad into a tool to make Math and Science class more accessible to visually impaired students. Accessing lecture material during lecture is a challenge to low vision students, in terms of the limited options that can be costly or can allow access only upon the completion of the lecture. This paper presents the strategies and techniques used to help the team gather the needs and tasks of math/science instructors and visually impaired students. These groups are distributed geographically and represent diverse constituencies. The analysis of the environment, user groups and the tasks related to the course lecture were modeled in order to ascertain domain knowledge and to specify the system’s requirements.