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• Deep Learning Compensation of Rotation Errors During Navigation Assistance for People with Visual Impairments or Blindness

  Dragan Ahmetovic, Sergio Mascetti, Cristian Bernareggi, João Guerreiro, Uran Oh, Chieko Asakawa · 2019 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing (TACCESS)

  This paper addresses a critical but often overlooked problem in turn-by-turn navigation assistance for people with visual impairments or blindness (VIB): rotation errors at turning points. While much navigation research focuses on improving localization accuracy, this work…

  navigation assistance · visual impairment · blindness · deep learning · turn-by-turn navigation

• Find and Seek: Assessing the Impact of Table Navigation on Information Look-up with a Screen Reader

  Kristin Williams, Taylor Clarke, Steve Gardiner, John Zimmerman, Anthony Tomasic · 2019 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing (TACCESS)

  This paper challenges the widely held assumption that HTML tables are inherently inaccessible to screen reader users. Web designers use visual cues like layout, typography, and spatial grouping to help sighted users navigate and understand page content, but screen readers…

  screen readers · web accessibility · table navigation · spatial layout · cognitive load

• Interactive Technologies Designed for Children with Autism: Reports of Use and Desires from Parents, Teachers, and Therapists

  Cynthia Putnam, Christina Hanschke, Jennifer Todd, Jonathan Gemmell, Mia Kollia · 2019 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing (TACCESS)

  This paper examines how parents, teachers, and therapists use, perceive, discover, and desire interactive technologies for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The research combined 19 semi-structured interviews and 230 survey responses from caregivers across the United…

  autism · children · interactive technology · assistive technology · stakeholder perspectives

• NavCog3 in the Wild: Large-scale Blind Indoor Navigation Assistant with Semantic Features

  Daisuke Sato, Uran Oh, João Guerreiro, Dragan Ahmetovic, Kakuya Naito, Hironobu Takagi, Kris M. Kitani, Chieko Asakawa · 2019 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing (TACCESS)

  This paper presents NavCog3, a smartphone-based indoor navigation assistant for people with visual impairments that combines high-accuracy Bluetooth beacon localization with rich semantic environmental features. The system uses off-the-shelf BLE beacons installed in the…

  indoor navigation · visual impairment · blindness · Bluetooth beacons · localization

• Designing and Evaluating a Customizable Head-mounted Vision Enhancement System for People with Low Vision

  Yuhang Zhao, Sarit Szpiro, Lei Shi, Shiri Azenkot · 2019 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing (TACCESS)

  This paper presents ForeSee, a customizable head-mounted display (HMD) system that enhances the visual experience of people with low vision using real-time image processing techniques. The system offers five enhancement methods — magnification, contrast enhancement, edge…

  low vision · head-mounted display · vision enhancement · magnification · edge enhancement

• Design and Psychometric Evaluation of American Sign Language Translations of Usability Questionnaires

  Larwan Berke, Matt Huenerfauth, Kasmira Patel · 2019 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing (TACCESS)

  This paper presents the first formally translated and psychometrically validated American Sign Language (ASL) versions of two widely used usability questionnaires: the System Usability Scale (SUS) and the Net Promoter Score (NPS). Many deaf adults in the United States have lower…

  American Sign Language · deaf and hard of hearing · usability questionnaires · psychometrics · SUS

• Predicting the Understandability of Imperfect English Captions for People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

  Sushant Kafle, Matt Huenerfauth · 2019 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing (TACCESS)

  This paper tackles a fundamental measurement problem in ASR-based captioning for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) users: the standard Word Error Rate (WER) metric has little correlation with how DHH users actually perceive caption quality. WER treats all word errors as equally…

  automatic speech recognition · captioning · deaf and hard of hearing · evaluation metrics · word error rate

• Tradeoffs in the Efficient Detection of Sign Language Content in Video Sharing Sites

  Caio D. D. Monteiro, Frank M. Shipman, Satyakiran Duggina, Ricardo Gutierrez-Osuna · 2019 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing (TACCESS)

  This paper addresses the problem of finding sign language (SL) content on video sharing sites like YouTube, where such videos serve as de-facto digital libraries of Deaf community knowledge, experiences, and culture. Metadata-based search is inadequate — prior work showed only…

  sign language · video analysis · content detection · deaf and hard of hearing · computer vision

• Making Emergency Calls More Accessible to Older Adults Through a Hands-free Speech Interface in the House

  Michel Vacher, Frédéric Aman, Solange Rossato, François Portet, Benjamin Lecouteux · 2019 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing (TACCESS)

  This paper presents CirdoX, a hands-free voice user interface system designed to detect emergency calls for help from older adults living alone at home. Wearable personal emergency response (PER) systems — typically pendant buttons worn on the neck or wrist — are the mainstream…

  speech recognition · aging · emergency response · ambient assisted living · smart home

• Effects of Extended Use of an Age-friendly Computer System on Assessments of Computer Proficiency, Attitudes, and Usability by Older Non-Computer Users

  Joseph Sharit, Jerad H. Moxley, Walter R. Boot, Neil Charness, Wendy A. Rogers, Sara J. Czaja · 2019 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing (TACCESS)

  This paper examines the impact of 12 months of extended use of PRISM (Personal Reminder Information and Social Management), a computer system specifically designed for older adults at risk of social isolation, on computer proficiency, attitudes toward computers, and perceived…

  older adults · computer proficiency · social isolation · usability · age-friendly design

• Multimodal Exploration of Mathematical Function Graphs with AudioFunctions.web

  Dragan Ahmetovic, Niccolò Cantù, Cristian Bernareggi, João Guerreiro, Sergio Mascetti, Anna Capietto · 2019 · Proceedings of the 16th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This demonstration paper presents AudioFunctions.web, a web-based system designed to make mathematical function graphs accessible to people who are blind or have visual impairments. Function graphs are a fundamental tool in mathematics education and STEM fields, yet they remain…

  sonification · mathematics accessibility · visual impairment · blindness · STEM accessibility

• Evaluation of a Prototype Interactive Working Memory Application for Children with Learning Disabilities

  Elaine Pearson, Adel Shaban · 2019 · Proceedings of the 16th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This short paper presents an expert evaluation of a prototype working memory training application designed specifically for children aged 7-9 with learning disabilities. The application was built using a novel design framework that integrates three distinct sets of guidelines:…

  learning disability · cognitive accessibility · working memory · gamification · cognitive load

• SafeExit4All: An Inclusive Indoor Emergency Evacuation System for People With Disabilities

  Seyed Ali Cheraghi, Anup Sharma, Vinod Namboodiri, Güler Arsal · 2019 · Proceedings of the 16th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This paper presents SafeExit4All, a smartphone-based emergency evacuation system designed to help people with disabilities independently find safe exits from indoor spaces during emergencies such as fires, tornadoes, and active shooter situations. The authors identify a critical…

  indoor navigation · emergency evacuation · wayfinding · visual impairment · mobility impairment

• An Easy to Use Data Logger for Local User Studies

  Vagner Figueredo de Santana, Felipe Eduardo Ferreira Silva · 2019 · Proceedings of the 16th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This demonstration paper introduces User Test Logger, an open-source Firefox browser add-on designed to capture detailed user interaction data during local usability and accessibility studies. The authors identify a gap in available tooling: existing interaction logging tools…

  usability testing · accessibility evaluation · interaction logging · data collection · open source tools

• Designing Mobile Persuasive Technology to Promote Mental Healthcare in Developing African Nations

  Makuochi Nkwo · 2019 · Proceedings of the 16th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This doctoral consortium paper explores how mobile persuasive technology can be designed to promote positive mental healthcare behaviors in developing African nations, with Nigeria as the primary focus. The author identifies a critical gap: while mobile technologies…

  mental health · mobile health · persuasive technology · developing nations · Africa

• AudioFunctions.web: Multimodal Exploration of Mathematical Function Graphs

  Dragan Ahmetovic, Cristian Bernareggi, João Guerreiro, Sergio Mascetti, Anna Capietto · 2019 · Proceedings of the 16th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This full research paper presents AudioFunctions.web, a web application that enables blind and visually impaired people to explore mathematical function graphs through a combination of sonification, earcons, and speech synthesis. The system is the platform-independent successor…

  sonification · mathematics accessibility · visual impairment · blindness · STEM accessibility

• Comparative Analysis of Web Accessibility Standards and Regulations

  Shantanu D. Ladkat · 2019 · Proceedings of the 16th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This doctoral consortium paper proposes a comparative analysis of web accessibility standards and regulations across different regions and organizations. The author identifies a practical problem facing the accessibility industry: there is no systematic tool for generating…

  accessibility standards · WCAG · Section 508 · accessibility compliance · accessibility policy

• The effect of typeface and font size on reading text on a tablet computer for older and younger people

  Maneerut Chatrangsan, Helen Petrie · 2019 · Proceedings of the 16th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This study investigated how typeface (serif vs. sans serif) and font size (14, 16, and 18 point) affect reading performance and preferences on tablet computers for younger and older people. The research was conducted cross-culturally in both Thailand and the UK, with…

  readability · typography · font size · older adults · aging

• Personalization in the Interactive EPUB 3 Reading Experience: Accessibility Issues for Screen Reader Users

  Barbara Leporini, Clara Meattini · 2019 · Proceedings of the 16th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This paper investigates the accessibility of interactive EPUB 3 digital books when accessed via screen readers. The authors designed and developed a multimedia, interactive EPUB 3 prototype — a digital guide to Sienese cuisine featuring 8 recipe chapters and 8 walking itinerary…

  EPUB · accessible publishing · screen reader · digital books · personalization

• A Computer Anxiety Model for Elderly Users Interacting with the Web

  Thiago Donizetti dos Santos, Vagner Figueredo de Santana · 2019 · Proceedings of the 16th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This paper presents a model for automatically detecting Computer Anxiety (CA) levels in older adults through analysis of their interaction logs while browsing the web. Computer Anxiety — defined as negative emotions and cognition processes evoked during actual or imagined…

  computer anxiety · older adults · aging · interaction logging · machine learning

• Exploring feasibility of wrist gestures for non-visual interactions with wearables

  Shirin Feiz, I. V. Ramakrishnan · 2019 · Proceedings of the 16th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This paper investigates the accessibility of wrist gestures as an input modality for people with visual impairments (PVIs) interacting with smartwatches. Smartwatches hold particular promise for PVIs: they are always available, enable one-handed use (important when the other…

  wearable technology · smartwatch · gesture-based interaction · visual impairment · blindness

• Blind Web Development Training at Oysters and Pearls Technology Camp in Uganda

  Claire Ferrari, Amy Hurst, Scott Fitzgerald · 2019 · Proceedings of the 16th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This paper describes the development and delivery of a 7-day web development course for 13 blind and low-vision students (ages 18-35, average 24) at the Oysters and Pearls Technology Camp in Gulu, northern Uganda. None of the students had prior experience building websites,…

  STEM accessibility · blindness · low vision · web development · coding education

• Pushpak: Voice Command-based eBook Navigator

  Shradha Holani, Akashdeep Bansal, M Balakrishnan · 2019 · Proceedings of the 16th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This demonstration paper presents Pushpak, a voice command-based eBook navigator designed to reduce the steep learning curve associated with screen reader software. The authors identify a key accessibility barrier: effective use of screen readers like NVDA and JAWS requires…

  voice control · screen reader · NVDA · eBook · natural language understanding

• Write-it-Yourself: Empowering Blind People to Independently Fill-out Paper Forms

  Syed Masum Billah, Shirin Feiz, Vikas Ashok, Roy Shilkrot, I. V. Ramakrishnan · 2019 · Proceedings of the 16th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This demonstration paper introduces WiYG (Write-it-Yourself Guide), a system that enables blind people to independently fill out printed paper forms such as bank checks, consent forms, and restaurant receipts — a task that has until now been impossible without sighted…

  blindness · assistive technology · computer vision · 3D printing · writing assistance

• Adaptable Accessibility Features for Mathematics on the Web

  Davide Cervone, Volker Sorge · 2019 · Proceedings of the 16th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This paper presents the accessibility features in MathJax version 3, the widely-used JavaScript library for rendering mathematics on the web. The fundamental challenge is that standard mathematical markup formats (LaTeX, ASCIIMath, presentation MathML) lack the semantic…

  mathematics accessibility · MathJax · STEM accessibility · screen reader · Braille