Extraction Methodology of Implicit Didactics in Math Schoolbooks for the Blind.

The implicit didactic information embedded in the theoretical part of math schoolbooks is one of the keys for successful learning mathematics, but mostly reserved for sighted students. Thus, the methodology for analyzing this theoretical part of selected math schoolbooks is developed for extracting this implicit didactic information, which will be made accessible. Combined with the blind students' teaching methods in classrooms, a dialog-based assistant concept is suggested for covering core didactics for teaching the blind.

A Comparative Study on Java Technologies for Focus and Cursor Handling in Accessible Dynamic Interactions.

For an interactive application, supporting and guiding the user in fulfilling tasks is most important. The behavior of the application that will guide users through the procedures until they finish the task has to be designed intuitively and well guiding, especially if the users has only restricted or no access to the visual and spatial arrangement on the screen. Therefore, the focus/cursor management plays an important role for orientation and navigating through the interaction. In the frame of ongoing research on a software tool supporting blind people in more efficiently doing mathematical calculations, we researched how Java technologies support implementing an accessible Graphical User Interface (GUI) with an additional focus on usable accessibility in terms of guiding blind users through the process of solving mathematical calculations. We used Java Swing [1] and Eclipse SWT [2] APIs for creating a series of prototypes. We tested a) accessibility and usability of the prototypes for blind people when using screen reader software and refreshable Braille display and b) the implementation support to developers provided by both technologies. It turned out that Eclipse SWT API delivered best results under Windows operating system.