Slide 1

A Study on Assistive Methods for the Visually ImpairedBiometric Accessibility

Brian StantonNIST is doing a lot of work in the area of biometric usability. Weve studied the effect of how instructions are given to a user, the appropriate height of a scanner, and the effect of feedback. In many cases, all these studies depended on the test participant to be able see. You cant see if video instructions are more effective than a poster if someone cant see them. So we got wondering about biometrics for visually disabled people.1Questions:How will the visually impaired use a fingerprint scanner?Location Where is the scanner?Placement Where to place the hand?Duration How long is the hand left in place?3 basic questions.2Interviews10 visually disabled intervieweesAll had experience with fingerprintingSome had experience with electronic fingerprintingIn both cases their hands were manipulated by the operatorSuggested verbal and/or audible cuesSuggested tactile guides

LocationLocator tones are used to locate crosswalk activators

This tone had a duration of 0.15 seconds or less, and repeated at 1-second intervals in accordance with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

4PlacementTactile GuidesDetermined PlacementDetermined SizeCutout Opening in Textured Overlay

5DurationToneBeeping different from locator tonesHapticMild vibration

Start and End IndicatorsConstant throughout scan

1000 Hz6Scanner MockupClear Acrylic CaseSpeakerVibration DeviceTexture Overlay

Scanner MockupClear Acrylic CaseSpeakerVibration DeviceTexture Overlay

Study Procedure

Participant was given instructionsPlaced before scannerLocator tone soundedStopped when scanner was touchedUsing textured surface, participant placed hand on scannerDuration was indicatedStart tone and stop vibrateContinuous toneContinuous vibration

ResultsParticipant numberVisionStart beepEnd vibrateStart tone startedEnd tone ceasedStartvibration startedEndvibration ceased1NoneOkUnclearOkOkOkOk2NoneOkNoNoNoOkNo3NoneOkOkOkNoOkOk4NoneOkUnclearOkNoOkOk Start Beep End Vibrate : Mismatched cues lead to confusion Constant Tone: Wasnt sure what the ending of tone meant Constant Vibration: Correctly IndentifiedStudy Procedure 2

Participant was given instructionsPlaced before scannerLocator tone soundedStopped when scanner was touchedUsing textured surface, participant placed hand on scannerDuration was indicatedStart tone and stop toneContinuous vibrationAccelerating Beeping

Results 2Participant numberVisionStartbeepEnd beepStartvibrateEndvibrate ceasedStartbeepAcceleratedbeep ceased5LowOkOkOkOkOkno (gap)6NoneOkNoOkOkOkno (gap)8None9NoneOkNoOkOkOkOk (gap) Start Beep End Beep : Ending tone was not identified Constant Vibration: Correctly identifiedAccelerated Beeps: Pause before final 2 beeps lead to confusionStudy Procedure 3

Participant was given instructionsPlaced before scannerLocator tone soundedStopped when scanner was touchedUsing textured surface, participant placed hand on scannerDuration was indicatedStart tone and stop toneContinuous vibrationAccelerating Beeping-2

Results 3Participant numberVisionStart beepEnd beepStart vibrateEnd vibrate ceasedStart beepingAccelerated beep ceased10LowOk Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok (no gap)11LowNo No Ok Ok Ok Ok (no gap)12NoneNo Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok (no gap) Start Beep End Beep : Tones was not identified Constant Vibration: Correctly identifiedAccelerated Beeps -2: Correctly identifiedConclusions:Location All participants located scannerTone can be used for locationPlacement All but one participant placed hand correctlyTexture can be used for placementDuration Either tone or vibration can be used for duration. But, duration indicator must be associated with a process.

Bigger QuestionIf biometric devices will become a commonly acceptable method of secure identification, how will people with disabilities be able to use them?If biometric devices will become a commonly acceptable method of secure identification, how will people with disabilities be able to use them?Bigger QuestionConcept: Adaptable Biometric Sensors

Personal Identity Verification of Federal Employees and Contractors Subject HSPD 12 : Policy for a Common Identification Standard for Federal Employees and Contractors (1) Wide variations in the quality and security of forms of identification used to gain access to secure Federal and other facilities where there is potential for terrorist attacks need to be eliminated. Therefore, it is the policy of the United States to enhance security, increase Government efficiency, reduce identity fraud, and protect personal privacy by establishing a mandatory, Government-wide standard for secure and reliable forms of identification issued by the Federal Government to its employees and contractors (including contractor employees). Integration of Biometric Data into ID Badges

Possible Entrance Scenario

Person approaches sensorSensor looks for a biometricFace/IrisFingerprintVoiceQuestion of AccessibilityMobility Impaired Reach the badge reader? Where to point camera? Use the fingerprint scanner? How long does the door remain open?Question of Accessibility Badge reader lowered Fingerprint scanner within reach Lights to indicate operating mode

Question of AccessibilityHearing Impaired Sounds cant be used to indicate statusQuestion of AccessibilityVisually Impaired How to locate the badge reader? Iris scan might not work How to locate a fingerprint sensor Cant see status lights

25Question of Accessibility System has to accommodate a wide range of accessibility needs But doesnt have to do it all at once for every person

Make the System Adapt to the User Not only have biometric data on a smartchip Have directions for sensor on distance readable format so sensor can adapt

Adaptable Sensor

Encoded Badge:Transmits directions to scannerAdaptable Sensor:TextureFingerprintCameraVoice RecognitionVisual IndicatorsAudible Indicators

Adaptable Entrance Scenario

Sensor receives info and knows what actions to performE.g., Use camera and fingerprintDisplay status lights to sighted userAdaptable Entrance Scenario 2 Sensor receives info Sensor adapts, e.g., directs iris camera Door is held open longer

Adaptable Entrance Scenario 3

Sensor receives info Sensor adapts, emits locator tone Doesnt enable iris camera, listens for voice and expects fingerprint Emits success tone instead of lights

Further ResearchNature of the information to be encodedInteraction between badge and systemTemporary user conditionsFallback processAppropriate timings and indicatorsEtc.