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• Open, Accurate, and Calibration-Free Muscle-Computer Interfaces

  Ethan Eddy, Evan Campbell, Erik J. Scheme, Scott Bateman · 2026 · Proceedings of the 2026 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '26)

  Eddy and colleagues tackle one of the long-standing barriers to practical muscle-computer interfaces (MCIs): that accurate, cross-user gesture recognition from forearm EMG has historically required either per-user calibration or access to closed datasets and proprietary…

  muscle-computer interface · electromyography · EMG · gesture recognition · machine learning

• Designing and Evaluating Head-based Pointing on Smartphones for People with Motor Impairments

  Muratcan Cicek, Ankit Dave, Wenxin Feng, Michael Xuelin Huang, Julia Katherine Haines, Jeffry Nichols · 2020 · Proceedings of the 22nd International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '20)

  This paper presents a calibration-free head-based pointing (HBP) system for Android smartphones that uses the standard front-facing camera to enable people with motor impairments to control an on-screen cursor through head movements. The system was designed by a team including…

  motor accessibility · head tracking · alternative input · mobile accessibility · Fitts law

• Parallel DOM Architecture for Accessible Interactive Simulations

  Taliesin L. Smith, Jesse Greenberg, Sam Reid, Emily B. Moore · 2018 · Proceedings of the 15th International Web for All Conference (W4A 2018)

  This paper presents the Parallel DOM (PDOM) architecture developed by the PhET Interactive Simulations project at the University of Colorado Boulder to make their suite of 140+ free science and mathematics simulations accessible to students with visual impairments. PhET sims are…

  web accessibility · interactive simulations · screen readers · keyboard accessibility · WAI-ARIA

• Simulation of Motor Impairment in Head-Controlled Pointer Fitts' Law Task

  Syed Asad Rizvi, Ella Tuson, Breanna Desrochers, John Magee · 2018 · Proceedings of the 20th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '18)

  This poster paper proposes simulating motor impairments in a head-controlled mouse pointer system (Camera Mouse) to address the challenge that participants with motor impairments are not always available for accessibility research or software development testing. The Camera…

  motor impairment · simulation · head tracking · alternative input · Fitts' law

• Gaze Typing using Multi-key Selection Technique

  Tanya Bafna · 2018 · Proceedings of the 20th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '18)

  This student research competition paper presents a multi-key selection technique for gaze typing that significantly speeds up text input for people with extreme motor disabilities such as full body paralysis. Traditional gaze typing uses dwell time — the user must fixate on each…

  eye tracking · gaze interaction · text entry · motor disability · paralysis

• GazeTheWeb: A Gaze-Controlled Web Browser

  Raphael Menges, Chandan Kumar, Daniel Müller, Korok Sengupta · 2017 · Proceedings of the 14th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This demonstration paper presents GazeTheWeb, an open-source web browser designed to be operated entirely through eye gaze input, targeting people with severe motor impairments who cannot use conventional mouse and keyboard input. Built on the Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF),…

  eye tracking · gaze interaction · web browser · motor impairment · assistive technology

• An Exploratory Case Study to Support Young Children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

  Sheng Miao, Ziying Tang, Jinjuan Heidi Feng, Amanda Jozkowski, Molly Lichtenwalner · 2017 · Proceedings of the 19th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '17)

  This demonstration paper presents a case study exploring input solutions for very young children with Type I Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), the most severe form of a neurodegenerative disease that causes degeneration of spinal cord motor neurons, skeletal muscle atrophy, and…

  spinal muscular atrophy · motor disability · alternative input · sensors · young children

• Fast Human-Computer Interaction by Combining Gaze Pointing and Face Gestures

  David Rozado, Jason Niu, Martin Lochner · 2017 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This paper presents FaceSwitch, an open-source multimodal accessibility system that combines eye gaze tracking for cursor positioning with facial gesture recognition for triggering actions. The system addresses limitations of existing gaze-based interaction methods: gaze-only…

  eye tracking · gaze interaction · face tracking · facial gestures · motor disabilities

• OnScreenDualScribe with Point-and-Click Interface: A Viable Computer Interaction Alternative based on a Virtual Modified Numerical Keypad

  Kavita Krishnaswamy, Patricia Ordóñez, Phillip Beckerle, Stephan Rinderknecht, Torsten Felzer · 2016 · Proceedings of the 18th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '16)

  This paper presents a first-person evaluation of the OnScreenDualScribe (OSDS) Point-and-Click Interface, a virtual keyboard designed for people who cannot use a standard keyboard or mouse effectively. The first author, who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), can only interact…

  text entry · motor disability · virtual keyboard · assistive technology · word prediction

• Playing Music with the Head

  Emeline Brulé · 2016 · Proceedings of the 18th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '16)

  This short paper describes the co-design process leading to an open source music-playing software for M., a person living with severe motor, dexterity, and speech impairments in a nursing home in France. The system uses an infrared camera mounted on top of a computer to track…

  music accessibility · motor disability · co-design · participatory design · DIY assistive technology

• Gaze Typing Through Foot-Operated Wearable Device

  Vijay Rajanna · 2016 · ASSETS '16: Proceedings of the 18th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility

  This paper presents a dwell-free gaze typing system that combines eye tracking with a foot-operated wearable device to enable text entry for people with motor impairments affecting arms or spine. Traditional gaze typing requires users to "dwell" (fixate) on virtual keyboard keys…

  gaze typing · eye tracking · wearable devices · foot interaction · motor impairment

• The Implementation of a Vocabulary and Grammar for an Open-Source Speech-Recognition Programming Platform

  Jean K. Rodriguez-Cartagena, Andrea C. Claudio-Palacios, Natalia Pacheco-Tallaj, Valerie Santiago González, Patricia Ordonez-Franco · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This paper presents the development of a standardized vocabulary and grammar for voice-based programming, designed to make coding accessible to people with limited hand mobility or visual impairments. The work is part of the larger Kavita Project, which aims to create an…

  speech recognition · voice input · programming · motor impairment · repetitive strain injury

• A Performance Comparison of On-Hand versus On-Phone Nonvisual Input by Blind and Sighted Users

  Uran Oh, Leah Findlater · 2015 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing (TACCESS)

  This study investigates whether using one's own hand as an input surface offers performance advantages over touchscreen phones for blind users performing nonvisual interaction. On-body input is particularly attractive for blind users because it provides enhanced tactile and…

  on-body interaction · mobile accessibility · blindness · touchscreen accessibility · gesture input

• Text Entry Using a Compact Keypad with OSDS

  Torsten Felzer, Stephan Rinderknecht · 2014 · Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This demo paper presents OSDS (OnScreenDualScribe), a Windows software tool that enables people with neuromuscular diseases to replace a standard full-size keyboard with a compact 19-key numeric keypad called the DualPad. For people with conditions that cause motor impairment,…

  text entry · alternative input · keyboard replacement · neuromuscular disease · motor disability

• The Gest-Rest: A Pressure-Sensitive Chairable Input Pad for Power Wheelchair Armrests

  Patrick Carrington, Amy Hurst, Shaun K. Kane · 2014 · Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This paper introduces the Gest-Rest, a pressure-sensitive input device designed to fit over a standard power wheelchair armrest, enabling users to perform touch and gesture interactions without needing to reach for or hold a separate device. The concept builds on the authors'…

  wheelchair accessibility · alternative input · gesture interaction · motor disability · pressure input

• Explorations on Breathing Based Text Input for Mobile Devices

  Jackson F. Filho, Thiago Valle, Wilson Prata · 2014 · Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This paper presents progress on PuffText, a breathing-based text input system for mobile phones designed for people with motor disabilities who cannot handle a mobile device manually. The system uses the phone's built-in microphone to detect "puffs" of breath, which serve as the…

  text entry · alternative input · motor disability · sip-and-puff · mobile accessibility

• Text Entry Using Single-Channel Analog Puff Input

  Adam J. Sporka · 2014 · Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS 2014)

  This short demonstration paper presents a prototype text entry system that repurposes a single-channel analog puff input device — specifically the AKAI EWI USB, a MIDI controller designed for woodwind instrument emulation — as an assistive technology for people with motor…

  sip-and-puff · text entry · assistive technology · motor disabilities · alternative input

• Breath Mobile: A Software-Based Hands-Free and Voice-Free Breathing Controlled Mobile Phone Interface

  Jackson Feijó Filho, Thiago Valle, Wilson Prata · 2012 · Proceedings of the 14th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This short paper proposes Breath Mobile, a software-only breathing interface for mobile phones that uses the device's built-in microphone to detect puffing patterns and translate them into navigation and selection events. Unlike traditional sip-and-puff controllers that require…

  motor impairment · breath control · sip-and-puff · mobile accessibility · alternative input

• Face Tracking User Interfaces Using Vision-Based Consumer Devices

  Norman H. Villaroman · 2012 · Proceedings of the 14th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '12)

  This short paper investigates the design and implementation of face tracking user interfaces built with consumer-grade vision and depth-sensing devices, specifically the Microsoft Kinect. The research addresses the needs of users who cannot effectively use traditional…

  face tracking · head tracking · assistive technology · alternative input · depth sensing

• The PhonicStick: A Joystick to Generate Novel Words Using Phonics

  Rolf Black · 2011 · The Proceedings of the 13th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2011)

  This short paper introduces the PhonicStick, a novel joystick-based device that enables non-speaking children to explore letter sounds (phonics) and blend them into words. The motivation stems from a key limitation of existing Voice Output Communication Aids (VOCAs): while VOCAs…

  AAC · phonological awareness · literacy · joystick · cerebral palsy

• Humsher: A Predictive Keyboard Operated by Humming

  Ondrej Polacek, Zdenek Mikovec, Adam J. Sporka, Pavel Slavik · 2011 · The Proceedings of the 13th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2011)

  This paper presents Humsher, a novel text entry system controlled entirely by humming — short melodic and rhythmic vocal gestures distinguished by pitch (high/low) and duration (short/long). The system targets people with severe upper-limb motor impairments such as quadriplegia…

  text entry · alternative input · assistive technology · motor disability · non-verbal vocal interface

• Investigating Grid-Based Navigation: The Impact of Physical Disability

  Shaojian Zhu, Jinjuan Feng, Andrew Sears · 2010 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This paper investigates enhancements to grid-based navigation, a speech-controlled cursor technique designed for people who cannot use traditional keyboard and mouse input due to upper-body motor disabilities. Grid-based navigation works by recursively dividing the screen into…

  motor disabilities · speech recognition · cursor control · target selection · alternative input

• Head-Guided Wheelchair Control System

  John B. Hinkel · 2010 · Proceedings of the 12th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2010)

  This student research paper presents a system that allows individuals without hand use to control a motorized wheelchair through simple head movements. The author identifies that existing alternative wheelchair control methods — such as sip-and-puff devices, tongue-touch…

  power wheelchair · head tracking · motor impairment · alternative input · assistive technology

• Humming Control Interface for Hand-held Devices

  Sook Young Won, Dong-In Lee, Julius Smith · 2007 · Proceedings of the 9th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (Assets '07)

  This paper from Stanford University presents a control-by-humming interface that allows hands-free operation of portable devices such as cell phones and music players through subvocal humming detected by a Bluetooth-connected insertion earphone/microphone. The system converts…

  alternative input · hands-free control · subvocal input · pitch detection · motor impairment

• Demo of VJ-Voicebot: Control of Robotic Arm with the Vocal Joystick

  Brandi House, Jon Malkin, Jeff Bilmes · 2007 · Proceedings of the 9th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (Assets '07)

  This demonstration paper from the University of Washington presents VJ-Voicebot, a system that allows individuals with motor disabilities to continuously control a 5 degrees-of-freedom robotic arm using non-verbal vocal sounds. The system builds on the Vocal Joystick (VJ)…

  assistive robotics · voice interface · motor impairment · continuous voice control · robotic arm