Evaluating Interface Layout, Button Area, and Quantity on Screen Reader Navigation for Visually Impaired Mobile Users

Abstract

With the widespread adoption of smartphones, visually impaired individuals increasingly rely on built-in screen reader functionalities for daily learning and activities. However, many current mobile interfaces lack inclusive design considerations, particularly in interface layouts and button configurations, leading to decreased operational efficiency and higher error rates. Although prior studies have examined the effects of interface layout, simplification, button area, shape, and quantity on user interaction, most have focused on individual factors. Comprehensive analyses of how these design elements interact are limited. This study collaborated with a Taiwanese school for the visually impaired, recruiting 30 students to participate in an experiment evaluating the combined effects of interface layout (grid vs. list), button area (fixed vs. equally divided), and button quantity (4, 6, 8) on task performance and user preference. Participants completed tasks using 12 different interface configurations, and their performance was assessed based on task completion time, error rate, and subjective preference. Statistical analysis using repeated measures ANOVA revealed that under the four‑button condition, equally‑divided button areas led to better performance (M = 40.2 s, SD = 4.2) compared to fixed button areas (M = 51.5 s, SD = 5.7), F(1, 29) = 8.74, p = .006. The Grid layout produced fewer errors than the List layout (10 vs. 25). Under the six‑button condition, fixed button areas outperformed equally‑divided ones, with mean times of 42.6 s (SD = 3.6) vs. 51.7 s (SD = 3.9), F(1, 29) = 14.38, p = .001; here, the List layout showed fewer errors compared to Grid (22 vs. 33). In the eight‑button condition, though differences were not statistically significant, low‑vision participants preferred the List layout (5 out of 7), while blind participants favored the Grid layout (6 out of 7). These findings offer practical guidance for designing accessible mobile interfaces and support the standardization of assistive technology products.

Keywords: Visual Impairment, Screen Reader, Mobile Interface Design, Inclusive Design, Interface Layout

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1006878