Low-vision reading aids: reading as a pleasurable experience

Video magnifiers provide people with low vision a means to maintain a degree of independence by helping them to read and write. The design of these machines has remained essentially unchanged for 20 years, despite advances in computer technology. Designing reading aids with increased technological complexity and added functionality requires an understanding of the specific needs of this user group. The research described in this paper determines aspects that need to be considered and analyses comparative performance on a simple reading task between an existing closed circuit television video magnifier (CCTV) and a more complex low-vision reading aid, myReader, under development in New Zealand. Performance, comfort ratings and preference results suggest that myReader provides a more pleasurable reading experience than traditional CCTVs. Common error analysis highlights aspects of myReader that should be altered to improve the experience by eliminating actions that cause errors and resulting negative emotions.