A scientometric analysis of research on people with visual impairments in the field of HCI design: mapping the intellectual structure and evolution

The rapid growth in the field of human–computer interaction (HCI) for individuals with visual impairment has been recognized in recent years. However, comprehensive quantitative depictions of the development of this fast-moving field have been scarce. A total of 479 documents were selected from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database from 1999 to 2022. A large-scale scientometric analysis was implemented to objectively track emerging trends, visualize the status quo, and understand the intellectual structure along with development of the field. The results indicated a continuing growth trend in the quantity of papers on this topic. The USA is the leading country in the field, followed by the UK and India. The study has identified seven principal avenues of research: (1) usability, (2) mobile applications, (3) embodied skills, (4) assistive technology, (5) education, (6) user-centered, and (7) information technology. Future investigations are crucial for creating more inclusive, accessible, and desirable digital products for users with visual impairments, as well as for addressing their higher-order needs and experiences. In addition, further analysis and recommendations are provided in the areas of navigation systems for users with visual impairment, the development of emerging technologies such as VR and wearable products, and access to education through digital technology for people with visual impairments. In essence, this paper provides a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of research findings on HCI for visually impaired individuals, aiding researchers in staying abreast of the latest developments and identifying future research directions.