Global Filter: Augmenting Images to Support Seeing the “Big Picture” for People with Local Interference

Abstract

Some neurodivergent people prioritize visual details over the “big picture”. While excellent attention to detail has many advantages, some contexts require the rapid integration of global and local information. A local processing style can be so strong that local details interfere with the fluid integration of global information required for processing of information rapidly displayed on user interfaces. This disconnect between context of an interaction and processing style can be termed local interference. Personalization of visual stimuli can promote a more accessible computing experience. We describe how technological interventions can support shifting of visual attention from local to global features to make them more accessible. We present two empirical studies. One study with one autistic adult revealed a significant shift in eye gaze fixation, and the other study with 20 autistic children revealed filters that visually emphasize primary aspects encouraged more global comments about the image content.