A Comparative Study of the Learning Curve of a Novel Interface for the Deafblind: Implications for Educational Environments

In addition to communication and mobility issues, the blind and the deafblind suffer from poor social inclusion and illiteracy, and extremely low employment rates. This is particularly due to lack of access to dedicated educational resources and to technology for learning. In this paper, we introduce dbGLOVE, an innovative and low-cost wearable interface based on a tactile communication system especially designed for the deafblind. We compare the performances of dbGLOVE with the state-of-the-art technology for the blind and the deafblind, i.e., the Braille display. Results from our study show that dbGLOVE has a faster learning curve, and it outperforms the Braille display both in accuracy and in speed. Finally, we discuss the implications of our findings in regard to learning and we detail the features that render dbGLOVE particularly suitable for educational purposes.