title: Enhancing Navigation Skills through Audio Gaming.
abstract: We present the design, development and initial cognitive evaluation of an Audio-based Environment Simulator (AbES). This software allows a blind user to navigate through a virtual representation of a real space for the purposes of training orientation and mobility skills. Our findings indicate that users feel satisfied and self-confident when interacting with the audio-based interface, and the embedded sounds allow them to correctly orient themselves and navigate within the virtual world. Furthermore, users are able to transfer spatial information acquired through virtual interactions into real world navigation and problem solving tasks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, Center for Advanced Research in Education (CARE), University of Chile, Blanco Encalada 2120. Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, Center for Advanced Research in Education (CARE), University of Chile, Blanco Encalada 2120. Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sáenz
authors.affiliation: Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School.
authors.forename: Alvaro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pascual-Leone
authors.affiliation: Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School.
authors.forename: Lotfi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Merabet
keywords: Assistive technologies for persons with disabilities; Computers and Society – Social Issues; Design; Experimentation; K.4.2 [Computing Milieux]; Orientation and Mobility; Virtual Environment; Visual Impairment; audio games; videogames