Seeing Art Differently: Design Considerations to Improve Visual Art Engagement for People with Low Vision

Most people with a visual impairment retain some residual vision, yet accessibility strategies and research for visual art focus on non-visual aids and strategies. Little is known about how image enhancements may benefit people with low vision in art settings. Our study explored the challenges of people with visual impairments in museums and art galleries and the potential of visual enhancements to improve accessibility. Through online focus groups with 18 participants, we uncovered multifaceted visual challenges. Participants emphasised the role of non-visual senses to reduce visual ambiguities. Subsequently, we presented participants with the concept of image enhancements on Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs) as a potential approach to enhance visual accessibility. Participants expressed nuanced perspectives, advocating for this technology to improve visual art. The findings provide valuable insights for designing HMDs to enhance the visual experience of people with low vision in museums and galleries.