This project allows people with visual disabilities to study together on equal
terms with normally sighted people.
Problem definition:
During the frequent consultations of development team with the representatives of the target
auditorium, organization "Vikno v svit", the following main problems were uncovered:
Modern interfaces are too rich with graphics and animation (especially web pages) which makes
them almost useless for visually disabled people
Special devices for such users are too expensive
Special organizations, which was created to help people with visual disabilities, unintentionally
isolate such people from other, which create severe social problem for them
Functionality:
Fenestra provides the following functionality:
interaction with the computer using a fingertips reader,
voice synthesis/recognition,
a special web browser for blind people,
handwriting recognition,
audio/video transmission,
mouse touch and touch vision technologies for desktop applications.
Project Fenestra was created for both visually disabled and normally sighted people. Depending on
the current user the program can work either in usual or special mode (for visually disabled people). In
the mode for normally sighted people the system has nice and simple interface based on the Widows
Presentation Foundation. Audio, video transition and remote lessons are available in both modes.
In the special mode the system has voice interface which can be fully controlled by the user. The
problem of entering data and interaction with the system by visually disabled people is solved using
voice recognition and interacting with the help of fingertips reader. Since each human has unique
fingertips on each finger it allows wide range of possibilities for interacting with the program. In the
case of visually disabled people it is even more convenient since such people got used to perceive tactile
information very well.
Fenestra Team participated in Imagine Cup 2007 competition at the World Finals
in Seoul, Korea. We were in the semi-final round among 12 best
teams.
