An interdisciplinary approach is proposed to improve accessibility and retrieval of images. The proposal examines a biomedical image's lifecycle from creation to use, with different disciplines contributing at each stage. These include computer vision, library and information science, information visualization, and semantic web. By applying relevant techniques from these fields across the entire lifecycle, the goal is to better describe images, adapt them for different contexts, and enhance retrieval of visual information.

1. An interdisciplinary approach to
alternative representations for images
Bruno Splendiani, Mireia Ribera, Roberto García, Marina Salse
ICCHP Conference 2012 – ULD track

2. Overview
• Introduction
• Proposal
• Scenario
• Conclusions
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3. Introduction (1)
Basic Recommendation in Accessibility
“Provide text alternatives for any non-text content”
[Source: WCAG 2.0]
But
Accessibility guidelines only offer general recommendations
No standards defining:
• the analysis and creation of visual content
□ Relevant exceptions
• the process of image description in publishing workflow
□ Relevant exception
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4. Introduction(2)
So, we have to offer a text alternative, but HOW?
• How to improve the accessibility to visual content
and the retrieval of images?
• How to make easier the creation of alternative
representations?
• How to adapt visual information to specific contexts
of use?
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5. Proposal
Interdisciplinary approach
Accessibility
Information Visualization (InfoVis)
Library and Information Science (LIS)
Semantic Web
Computer Vision
How can the cross-fertilization of these disciplines help us
to improve accessibility and retrieval of images?
Let’s see an example!
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6. Scenario /Biomedical image
We have an image
A digital, visual representation that convey data
and information with the intention “to describe,
explain, inform or instruct” [Source: Engelhardt]
Biomedical image
“Magnetic resonance imaging of a brain with a probable case of white epidermoid cyst”
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7. Scenario /Life cycle (1)
The image in a life cycle
Created by an author
Managed, manipulated and archived
by an information specialist
Used in a scientific publication
according to a publisher
Accessed and searched
by an end-user Bruno Splendiani (2012) 7

8. Scenario / Life cycle (2)
In the “image lifecycle”
many actors are involved
in different steps of the process,
with different roles,
specific information needs
and contexts of use.
In every step a different discipline could contribute to
the improvement of the image description and retrieval
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9. Scenario / Step 1
From data to visual representation
Disciplines involved
• LIS : Embedded metadata
i.e. DICOM headers: modality type, equipment
number, acquisition parameters, image resolution….
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10. Scenario / Step 2
Image Manipulation
• Computer Vision: object recognition
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11. Scenario / Step 3
Image Management
• LIS: controlled vocabularies: UMLS, Mesh, ICD9…
• InfoVis: visual variables and rules of construction
• Semantic Web:
Ontologies i.e.: Bioontology /DBPediaBrain
Metadata schemas: i.e.: Schema.orgBrain Structure
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12. Scenario / Step 4
From management to publication
• LIS: techniques to associate metadata to the image
• Semantic Web: models of relation to different parts of the
article
• Accessibility: demands requirements, offers specific
techniques to include alternative information (i.e. alt-text,
longdesc, etc.)
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13. Scenario / Step 5
Access to publication by end-user
• Information Retrieval (LIS and Semantic Web)
• Accessibility: allow multimodal access by assistive
technologies
• InfoVis: adaptation of the image in different contexts of
access
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14. Scenario / Process
The “image life cycle”
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15. Scenario / Example
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16. Conclusions
The interdisciplinary approach
could improve
access to images for people
with disabilities
image’s retrieval
adaptation to different
contexts of use
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17. Thanks!
Any questions?
Bruno Splendiani
splendiani@ub.edu
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