Abstract
The study investigates blind computer users’ mental models in Windows environments through interviews and user observation. Five blind users described their strategies in dealing with a new Windows application. The study showed that blind users had similar and highly structured strategies. They adopted three stages of strategy: exploration, task-action and configuration. Blind users were also observed to have three types of mental models of the Windows environment: structural, functional or a combination of these two models. Users have more problems in using a new application when there is a mismatch between the user’s established mental model and the way the application works.
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© 2002 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Kurniawan, S.H., Sutcliffe, A. (2002). Mental Models of Blind Users in the Windows Environment. In: Miesenberger, K., Klaus, J., Zagler, W. (eds) Computers Helping People with Special Needs. ICCHP 2002. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2398. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-45491-8_109
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-45491-8_109
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