Examining visual attention of dyslexics on web navigation structures with eye tracking

In this paper, we describe an exploratory experiment in which visual attention on the Web is compared for people with different cognitive abilities. Eye tracking can measure the direction, sequence and duration of a Web user's gaze over time. Eye movements of participants, with and without dyslexia, were recorded by means of a remote eye tracking device. Participants completed nine tasks on each of six different web sites. Findings indicate marked differences between the visual scan paths of dyslexic and non-dyslexic Web users. Results also provide insights as to how eye tracking can be applied to assess the usability of interfaces for people with special needs and inform the design of accessible interactive systems.