First Insights with a Vibrotactile Interface for Children with Multiple Disabilities

Abstract

Designing and evaluating interactive systems for users with multiple disabilities is a challenge due to their cognitive, sensory, physical and behavioral conditions. Vibrotactile interfaces to motivate users' actions exist for users with hearing and sight impairments, but there are hardly any for users with multiple disabilities. We developed V-Sense, a vibrotactile interface that encourages children with multiple disabilities to move their arms by using vibrations and exploiting the saltation perceptual illusion. In this paper we describe our initial experience evaluating the interface with 5 children for 7 weeks and we discuss the first insights concerning the use of the interface and the difficulties encountered while conducting the evaluation sessions.