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• Enabling Collaboration in Learning Computer Programing Inclusive of Children with Vision Impairments

  Anja Thieme, Cecily Morrison, Nicolas Villar, Martin Grayson, Siân Lindley · 2017 · Proceedings of the 2017 Conference on Designing Interactive Systems (DIS)

  This paper from Microsoft Research explores how Torino, a physical programming language, enables collaborative learning of computer programming by children aged 7-12 with mixed visual abilities — from full blindness to full sight. Torino uses tangible "instruction beads" (play,…

  visual impairment · children · collaborative learning · tangible interface · computational thinking

• DytectiveU: A Game to Train the Difficulties and the Strengths of Children with Dyslexia

  Luz Rello, Arturo Macias, María Herrera, Camila de Ros, Enrique Romero, Jeffrey P. Bigham · 2017 · Proceedings of the 19th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '17)

  This demonstration paper presents DytectiveU, a game-based application containing 35,000 exercises designed to train cognitive abilities related to dyslexia in Spanish-speaking children. Unlike most existing dyslexia interventions that focus narrowly on reading fluency or…

  dyslexia · serious games · cognitive accessibility · gamification · learning disabilities

• FluxMarker: Enhancing Tactile Graphics with Dynamic Tactile Markers

  Ryo Suzuki, Abigale Stangl, Mark D. Gross, Tom Yeh · 2017 · Proceedings of the 19th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '17)

  This paper presents FluxMarker, an inexpensive and scalable system that adds dynamic, movable tactile markers on top of static raised-line tactile graphics. Traditional embossed tactile graphics are static and cannot represent changing data, while existing refreshable braille…

  tactile graphics · visual impairment · blindness · data physicalization · haptic technology

• Tablet-Based Activity Schedule in Mainstream Environment for Children with Autism and Children with ID

  Charles Fage, Léonard Pommereau, Charles Consel, Emilie Balland, Hélène Sauzéon · 2016 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing (TACCESS)

  This paper presents Classroom Schedule+ (CS+), a tablet-based activity schedule application designed to support the inclusion of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in mainstream school environments. Developed through participatory design with mainstream teachers,…

  autism spectrum disorder · intellectual disability · mainstream inclusion · activity schedule · tablet

• Tactile Graphics with a Voice

  Catherine M. Baker, Lauren R. Milne, Ryan Drapeau, Jeffrey Scofield, Cynthia L. Bennett, Richard E. Ladner · 2016 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing (TACCESS)

  This paper presents Tactile Graphics with a Voice (TGV), a system that uses QR codes and a smartphone application to make text labels on tactile graphics accessible to blind and low-vision users — particularly the estimated 60% of blind people who are not fluent in Braille.…

  tactile graphics · visual impairment · QR codes · STEM accessibility · Braille

• Improving Real-Time Captioning Experiences for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students

  Saba Kawas, George Karalis, Tzu Wen, Richard E. Ladner · 2016 · Proceedings of the 18th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '16)

  This paper takes a holistic, qualitative approach to understanding deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) university students' experiences with real-time captioning in mainstream classrooms, examining both human-based captioning (CART — Communication Access Realtime Translation) and…

  deaf and hard of hearing · real-time captioning · CART · automatic speech recognition · education

• Breaking Barriers to Digital Literacy: An Intergenerational Social-Cognitive Approach

  Keith Atkinson, Jaclyn Barnes, Judith Albee, Peter Anttila, Judith Haataja, Kanak Nanavati, Kelly Steelman, Charles Wallace · 2016 · Proceedings of the 18th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '16)

  This experience report presents narratives from learners and student tutors participating in the BASIC (Building Adult Skills in Computing) program at Michigan Technological University, which has paired university students with older community members (mostly 60+) for one-on-one…

  aging · digital literacy · digital divide · education · collaborative learning

• Remote Access Programs to Better Integrate Individuals with Disabilities

  Thomas Hahn, Hidayat Ur Rahman, Richard Segall, Christoph Heim, Raphaela Brunson, Ankush Sharma, Maryam Aslam, Ana Lara-Rodriguez, Md. Sahidul Islam, Neha Gupta, Charles S. Embry, Patrick Grossmann, Shahrukh Babar, Gregory A. Skibinski, Fusheng Tang · 2016 · Proceedings of the 18th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '16)

  This experience report, written primarily from the perspective of the first author who is legally blind due to albinism, describes how remote access programs (such as TeamViewer and AnyDesk) combined with voice communication tools (Skype, Google Hangout) can significantly…

  visual impairment · low vision · screen magnification · remote access · education

• Uncovering Challenges and Opportunities for 3D Printing Assistive Technology with Physical Therapists

  Samantha McDonald, Niara Comrie, Erin Buehler, Nicholas Carter, Braxton Dubin, Karen Gordes, Sandy McCombe-Waller, Amy Hurst · 2016 · Proceedings of the 18th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '16)

  This paper investigates the feasibility and challenges of integrating 3D printing into physical therapy (PT) practice for creating customized assistive technology (AT). Physical therapists routinely modify standardized AT devices using temporary materials like Velcro, tape, and…

  3D printing · assistive technology · DIY assistive technology · physical disability · digital fabrication

• A Tool for Capturing Essential Preferences

  Dana Ayotte, Michelle Brennan, Nancy Frishberg, Cynthia Jimes, Lisa Petrides, Whitney Quesenbery, Madeleine Rothberg, Rich Schwerdtfeger, Jim Tobias, Jutta Treviranus, Shari Trewin, Gregg C. Vanderheiden · 2016 · Proceedings of the 18th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '16)

  This demonstration paper presents the First Discovery Tool, a multimodal web-based application designed to help people discover and set essential accessibility preferences — such as large fonts, high contrast, speech output, or one-handed keyboard use — to address major…

  personalization · accessibility tools · aging · education · inclusive design

• An Accessible Blocks Language: Work in Progress

  Varsha Koushik, Clayton Lewis · 2016 · Proceedings of the 18th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '16)

  This demonstration paper presents Pseudospatial Blocks (PB), a nonvisual blocks programming language designed to make block-based coding environments accessible to blind learners. Block languages like Scratch, Snap, MIT App Inventor, and Microsoft Block Editor are among the most…

  blindness · programming education · screen reader · education · STEM accessibility

• End-to-End Solution for Accessible Chemical Diagrams

  Volker Sorge, Mark Lee, Sandy Wilkinson · 2015 · Proceedings of the 12th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This paper presents a complete pipeline for making chemical diagrams — typically distributed as inaccessible bitmap images — fully accessible on the web. The system takes bitmap images of molecular diagrams as input and produces interactive, explorable SVG diagrams with semantic…

  STEM accessibility · image accessibility · visual impairment · screen readers · SVG

• SlidePacer: Improving Class Pace for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

  Alessandra Brandao · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This short paper from Rochester Institute of Technology introduces SlidePacer, a prototype tool designed to synchronize PowerPoint slide transitions with sign language interpretation in university classrooms. The paper addresses a fundamental challenge for deaf and…

  deaf accessibility · sign language interpreters · education · classroom accessibility · multimedia learning

• Tracked Speech-To-Text Display: Enhancing Accessibility and Readability of Real-Time Speech-To-Text

  Raja S. Kushalnagar, Gary W. Behm, Aaron W. Kelstone, Shareef Ali · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This research addresses a subtle but significant barrier facing deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students in educational settings: visual dispersion. While hearing students can simultaneously watch lecture visuals (slides, demonstrations, whiteboard) and listen to the speaker's…

  deaf and hard of hearing · speech-to-text · CART · captioning · education

• Remote IT Education for Senior Citizens

  Hironobu Takagi, Akihiro Kosugi, Tatsuya Ishihara, Kentarou Fukuda · 2014 · Proceedings of the 11th Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This paper addresses the challenge of teaching IT skills to senior citizens in Japan, where the elderly population ratio has reached 25% nationally and up to 40% in some regions. The authors identified that peer teaching — skilled seniors teaching unskilled seniors — is the most…

  aging · digital literacy · digital divide · education · remote learning

• Helping students keep up with real-time captions by pausing and highlighting

  Walter S. Lasecki, Raja Kushalnagar, Jeffrey P. Bigham · 2014 · Proceedings of the 11th Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This paper addresses a fundamental problem with real-time captioning for deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students: the mismatch between speaking rates (approximately 170 words per minute) and reading rates, which causes students to fall progressively behind the live content. The…

  deaf and hard of hearing · captioning · real-time captioning · education · inclusive classrooms

• Tactile Graphics with a Voice: Using QR Codes to Access Text in Tactile Graphics

  Catherine M. Baker, Lauren R. Milne, Jeffrey Scofield, Cynthia L. Bennett, Richard E. Ladner · 2014 · ASSETS '14: Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This paper presents Tactile Graphics with a Voice (TGV), a system that makes text labels in tactile graphics accessible by replacing Braille labels with QR codes that can be scanned and read aloud using a smartphone. The motivation is significant: while tactile graphics are…

  visual impairment · blindness · tactile graphics · QR codes · Braille

• Tablet-Based Activity Schedule for Children with Autism in Mainstream Environment

  Charles Fage, Léonard Pommereau, Charles Consel, Émilie Balland, Hélène Sauzéon · 2014 · ASSETS '14: Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This paper presents Classroom Schedule+ (CS+), a tablet-based activity schedule application designed to support the inclusion of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in mainstream classrooms. Unlike previous activity schedule technologies designed for special education…

  autism spectrum disorder · education · inclusive education · activity schedules · tablet

• AccessBraille: Tablet-based Braille Entry

  Stephanie Ludi, Michael Timbrook, Piper Chester · 2014 · Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This paper presents AccessBraille, an iOS framework that provides a virtual Braille keyboard for iPad applications. The system is designed as a reusable framework that any iOS developer can integrate into their apps, rather than being a standalone application. The…

  braille · tablet · iOS accessibility · text entry · blindness

• New Tools for Automating Tactile Geographic Map Translation

  Nizar Bouhlel, Anis Rojbi · 2014 · Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This demo paper presents a Matlab-based software tool that semi-automates the conversion of visual geographic maps into tactile versions suitable for blind students. Tactile graphics are the most effective modality for blind people to comprehend graphical images, but converting…

  tactile graphics · blindness · braille · image processing · OCR

• Tactile Aids for Visually Impaired Graphical Design Education

  Samantha McDonald, Joshua Dutterer, Ali Abdolrahmani, Shaun K. Kane, Amy Hurst · 2014 · Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS 2014)

  This demonstration paper describes the creation of over 10 tactile aids using laser cutting and 3D printing to make graphic design theory accessible to a visually impaired student enrolled in an introduction to human-centered computing class at UMBC. The course unit covered…

  visual impairment · tactile graphics · 3D printing · rapid prototyping · education

• A Computer-Based Method to Improve the Spelling of Children with Dyslexia

  Luz Rello, Clara Bayarri, Yolanda Otal, Martin Pielot · 2014 · Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS 2014)

  This paper presents a novel method for improving the spelling skills of children with dyslexia through error-based exercises delivered via an iPad game called DysEggxia (Piruletras in Spanish). Unlike traditional approaches that present correct words as positive examples,…

  dyslexia · spelling · serious games · literacy · education

• Tactile Graphics with a Voice Demonstration

  Catherine M. Baker, Lauren R. Milne, Jeffrey Scofield, Cynthia L. Bennett, Richard E. Ladner · 2014 · Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS '14)

  This demonstration paper presents Tactile Graphics with a Voice (TGV), a system that makes labels on tactile graphics accessible to blind and low vision users who do not read Braille. STEM textbooks are filled with images — from parabolas to cell diagrams — that are essential…

  tactile graphics · blindness and low vision · QR codes · STEM accessibility · braille

• Real-Time Caption Challenge: C-Print

  Michael S. Stinson, Pamela Francis, Lisa B. Elliot, Donna Easton · 2014 · Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS '14)

  This demonstration paper presents C-Print, a typing-based real-time captioning system developed over 25 years by researchers at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at Rochester Institute of Technology. C-Print provides communication access for deaf and hard of…

  deaf and hard of hearing · real-time captioning · communication access · transcription · mobile accessibility

• A Haptic Tool for Group Work on Geometrical Concepts Engaging Blind and Sighted Pupils

  Jonas Moll, Eva Pysander · 2013 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This study investigates how haptic technology can support collaborative geometry learning between visually impaired and sighted pupils in inclusive classrooms. The researchers developed two haptic applications using PHANTOM devices: a static environment where pupils explore…

  haptic interfaces · collaborative learning · visual impairment · education · geometry