How Power Wheelchair Users Choose Computing Devices
Patrick Carrington, Amy Hurst, Shaun K. Kane · 2013 · Proceedings of the 15th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS) · doi:10.1145/2513383.2513426
Summary
This poster paper explores how power wheelchair users select and use computing devices in their daily lives. The researchers interviewed 8 power wheelchair or power scooter users (4 male, 4 female) through semi-structured interviews lasting up to two hours, cataloguing their use of smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, e-readers, and assistive technologies. The study addresses a gap in accessibility research: while much prior work has examined how motor impairments affect interaction with specific input devices like keyboards, mice, and touchscreens, little research has explored how the real-world context of using a wheelchair influences which computing devices people choose and how they switch between them. The wheelchair itself creates a unique physical context — its frame can obstruct movement, limit reach, and make interaction especially challenging while moving.
Key findings
Three key factors influenced device choices: size and weight, interaction mode, and device storage and position. Participants with limited arm strength and dexterity chose lightweight devices they could manage physically, sometimes ordering custom-sized laptops. Others preferred larger screens for visual tasks but used smaller devices for quick interactions like texting. Interaction mode mattered significantly — participants switched between touch, voice, headset, and speaker modes depending on fatigue and context. Device storage and positioning were major challenges: participants struggled to find stable, reachable positions for devices on their wheelchairs, often using improvised solutions like wheelchair bags, cup holders, or lap trays. Switching between devices was particularly difficult, as it often required physical repositioning that participants could not do independently. Technology use while on the go was especially problematic, with the motion and vibration of the wheelchair adding further complications.
Relevance
This research highlights that accessibility is not just about software interfaces — the physical context of how and where people use technology matters enormously. For power wheelchair users, device selection is constrained by factors that most designers never consider: can the device be reached from a seated position, can it be stored securely on a wheelchair, and can the user switch between devices without assistance? The findings suggest concrete design opportunities: consolidating multiple device functions to reduce switching, improving mounting and portability solutions, and building technology that is robust to the vibration and movement of wheelchair use. For accessibility practitioners, this is a reminder that mobile accessibility extends well beyond screen size and touch targets — it encompasses the entire physical ecosystem of device use.
Tags: motor impairment · wheelchair · mobile accessibility · device selection · assistive technology · mobile devices · physical accessibility