Usability of Biometric Authentication Methods for Citizens with Disabilities
Abstract
Currently, one out of five adults in the United States has a disability. As the population ages, the number of adults with disabilities will swell. As critical government services move online, the need for accessibility grows. However, poor accessibility and usability in authentication methods can form a barrier to the use of important websites, such as tax and benefit services. Given current commercial trends, biometric authentication methods will be used more widely to ensure secure access to such services. There is currently a dearth of research into both accessibility and usability of authentication modalities, including biometric methods. Thus, we investigated the usability of biometric authentication schemes for users with and without disabilities (vision or hearing). We comparatively evaluated three biometric authentication schemes (fingerprint, eye, and palm recognition) and one non-biometric authentication scheme (PIN) on effectiveness, efficiency, and perceived usability. Traditional and biometric schemes showed some usability differences. Biometric schemes usability often differed based on whether the interaction required dynamic device positioning (placing and holding the device in relation to specific points on the users frame). Biometrics that required dynamic device positioning (ex. palm) had lower usability for participants with limited or no vision. We therefore put forth dynamic device positioning as a new consideration for usability evaluations of biometrics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1108230
Entities
People
- Rebecca I. Scollan
- Ronna N. Ten Brink
Organizations
- MITRE Corporation