Reviews

Search results

• The Qualities of Convivial Tools and Their Relevance to Music Software Accessibility

  Alex Lucas, James Cunningham, Jacob Harrison, Franziska Schroeder, Andrew McPherson · 2025 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This qualitative study explores how visually impaired and blind (VIB) people access digital audio workstations (DAWs) for creative sound work, drawing on Ivan Illich's concept of "convivial tools" to frame accessibility recommendations. The authors conducted 2-hour remote…

  visual impairment · blindness · digital audio workstations · music accessibility · communities of practice

• Social Media Apps: A Paradigm for Examining Usability of Mobile Apps for Working-Age Adults with Mild-Moderate Cognitive Disabilities

  Morris Huang, Greg McGrew, Cathy Bodine · 2025 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This empirical usability study examines how working-age adults (18-65) with mild-to-moderate cognitive disabilities interact with five mainstream social media apps: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, and Tumblr. The research addresses a significant gap—while mobile apps…

  cognitive disability · intellectual disability · traumatic brain injury · social media · mobile apps

• Beyond Omakase: Designing Shared Control for Navigation Robots with Blind People

  Rie Kamikubo, Seita Kayukawa, Yuka Kaniwa, Allan Wang, Hernisa Kacorri, Hironobu Takagi, Chieko Asakawa · 2025 · Proceedings of the 2025 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '25)

  Kamikubo and colleagues investigate how autonomous navigation robots for blind users should balance robot autonomy against user control, arguing that current systems default to what they call 'omakase' — a Japanese term meaning 'I leave it to you' — in which the robot makes all…

  assistive robotics · blindness and low vision · human-robot interaction · social robot navigation · shared control

• Receptive Design Methodologies: Human-Centered Design methodologies receptive to adaptation, accessibility and inclusion

  Apoorva Avadhana · 2024 · Proceedings of the 26th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '24)

  This short paper proposes a set of new design methodologies that bridge the gaps between Human-Centred Design (HCD), accessibility research, disability studies, occupational therapy (OT), and assistive technology (AT) development. The author argues that these fields have…

  design methods · assistive technology · inclusive design · occupational therapy · adaptation

• Accessible Bus Stop Preview for Visually Impaired

  Mahmut Erdemli · 2024 · ASSETS '24: Proceedings of the 26th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility

  This paper presents research on creating an accessible bus stop preview system for visually impaired users, addressing a significant gap in public transportation accessibility. While navigation apps can guide visually impaired people to a bus stop's GPS coordinates, they provide…

  visual impairment · public transportation · outdoor navigation · bus stops · accessible maps

• Accessible Gaming Through Better Captions: A Study on Captions Preferences and Inclusivity of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Players

  Wajdi Aljedaani, Marcelo M. Eler, Lorene E Keeland, Hamed Jalali, Khaled Al-Raddah, Mohamed Wiem Mkaouer · 2024 · Proceedings of the 21st International Web for All Conference (W4A '24)

  This study surveys 73 deaf and hard-of-hearing (d/Deaf) individuals about their preferences for caption design in video games, addressing a significant gap: while captioning standards exist for television and film, there are no universally accepted standards for video game…

  deaf accessibility · captioning · game accessibility · video games · user preferences

• Participatory Design for Cognitive Accessibility of Web-based Interactive Systems

  Adrian Wegener · 2024 · Proceedings of the 21st International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This doctoral consortium paper outlines a PhD research program aimed at addressing the significant underrepresentation of cognitive accessibility in web accessibility research. The author notes that while cognitive disabilities account for a 28% share of disabilities in Germany,…

  cognitive accessibility · participatory design · attention · focus · ADHD

• "Signifier" Video Sharing Platform and Accessible Media Player for Deaf Users

  Paraskevi Panagi, Alexandros Yeratziotis, Thomas Fotiadis, Christos Mettouris, George Angelos Papadopoulos · 2024 · Proceedings of the 2024 International Conference on Information Technology for Social Good (GoodIT)

  This paper from the University of Cyprus and Connect Deaf presents the "Signifier" video sharing platform and its integrated Signifier Accessible Media Player (SiAMP), designed specifically to address the lack of accessible video media for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (D & HH)…

  deaf accessibility · sign language · media accessibility · video accessibility · inclusive design

• Helping or Hindering: Inclusive Design of Automated Task Prompting for Workers with Cognitive Disabilities

  Gavin R. Philips, Morris Huang, Cathy Bodine · 2024 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This paper addresses the significant employment barriers faced by people with cognitive disabilities (PwCDs) in the United States, where only 28.6% of the approximately 8.8 million working-age adults with cognitive disabilities are employed. Those who do find work often receive…

  cognitive disability · intellectual disability · vocational support · employment · assistive technology

• Health Data Visualization Literacy Skills of Young Adults with Down Syndrome and the Barriers to Inference-making

  Rachel Wood, Jinjuan Heidi Feng, Jonathan Lazar · 2024 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This exploratory study is the first to examine how young adults with Down Syndrome read and interpret health data visualizations (HDVs). The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with ten participants (ages 16-29) as they viewed six different health visualizations…

  Down Syndrome · data visualization · health informatics · graphicacy · cognitive accessibility

• Exploring the Strategies People with Parkinson's Disease Use to Self-track Symptoms and Medications

  Charlotte Tang, Imrul K. Shuva, Matthew Thelen, Linda Zhu, Nathaniel S. Miller · 2024 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This qualitative study investigates how people with Parkinson's Disease (PwPD) track their symptoms, medications, and physical activities, with the goal of informing inclusive design of self-tracking technologies. The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 26…

  Parkinson's disease · self-tracking · chronic illness · health technology · inclusive design

• What We Know About Digital Accessibility for People with Cognitive, Learning, and Neurological Disabilities

  Clayton Lewis · 2023 · ACM Computing Surveys

  A comprehensive review of research on digital accessibility for people with cognitive, learning, and neurological disabilities. Examines the gap between current standards (which focus primarily on sensory and motor disabilities) and the needs of this broader population.

  cognitive accessibility · inclusive design · research review

• Banal Autistic Social Media: A Found Footage Autoethnography

  Kay Kender, Katta Spiel · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This position paper argues for designing social media platforms that support thriving neurodiverse online communities, moving beyond deficit-focused approaches that treat autistic users as needing to be "fixed" to match neurotypical social norms. The authors introduce "Banal…

  autism · neurodiversity · social media · design justice · autoethnography

• Bridging the Gap: Towards Advancing Privacy and Accessibility

  Rahaf Alharbi, Robin N. Brewer, Gesu India, Lotus Zhang, Leah Findlater, Yixin Zou, Abigale Stangl · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '23)

  This workshop proposal addresses a critical but understudied gap between the accessibility and privacy research communities. The authors argue that while all technology has privacy implications, accessibility tools carry particularly overlooked privacy risks — and conversely,…

  privacy · accessibility · intersectionality · AI ethics · blind and low vision

• A Gallery In My Hand: A Multi-Exhibition Investigation of Accessible and Inclusive Gallery Experiences for Blind and Low Vision Visitors

  Matthew Butler, Erica J. Tandori, Vince Dziekan, Kirsten Ellis, Jenna Hall, Leona M. Holloway, Ruth G. Nagassa, Kim Marriott · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '23)

  This paper presents findings from a longitudinal collaboration between researchers and the Bendigo Art Gallery, a major Australian regional gallery, to develop accessible and inclusive experiences for blind and low-vision (BLV) visitors across two flagship exhibitions: Mary…

  museum accessibility · blind and low vision · tactile graphics · 3D printing · inclusive design

• A11yFutures: Envisioning the Future of Accessibility Research

  Jennifer Mankoff, Kelly Avery Mack, Jason Wiese, Kirk Andrew Crawford, Foad Hamidi · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This workshop paper proposes a framework for understanding the evolution of accessibility research through three "waves" and argues that the field needs to broaden significantly into what the authors call "third wave accessibility." The first wave of accessibility research was…

  accessibility research · disability studies · inclusive design · intersectionality · research methodology

• Accessibility Research and Users with Multiple Disabilities or Complex Needs

  Arthur Theil, Craig Anderton, Chris Creed, Nasrine Olson, Raymond John Holt, Sayan Sarcar · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This workshop paper argues that accessibility research has historically oversimplified disability by focusing on single categories of impairment, and calls for a fundamental shift toward inclusive research that addresses the needs of people living with multiple disabilities or…

  multiple disabilities · complex needs · assistive technology · research methodology · inclusive design

• Designing While Blind: Nonvisual Tools and Inclusive Workflows for Tactile Graphic Creation

  Lauren Race, Chancey Fleet, Danielle Montour, Lindsay Yazzolino, Marco Salsiccia, Claire Ferrari, Sheri Wells-Jensen, Amy Hurst · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This experience report examines the challenges and opportunities of Blind-led tactile graphic design, documenting a project where a team of four Blind designers, one sighted designer, and one sighted researcher collaborated to create tactile graphics for AstroAccess, a nonprofit…

  tactile graphics · blindness · co-design · inclusive design · nonvisual design

• Guidelines for Designing Social Networking Sites for Older Adults: A Systematic Review with Thematic Synthesis

  Amira Ghenai, Philips Ayeni, Jing Yu, Robin Cohen, Karyn Moffatt · 2023 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This systematic review synthesizes design recommendations for social networking sites (SNS) targeting older adults, addressing a critical gap: despite being the fastest-growing demographic on platforms like Facebook, older adults face numerous barriers to adoption and use. The…

  older adults · social networking · social media · systematic review · design guidelines

• Performance and Pleasure: Exploring the Perceived Usefulness and Appeal of Physical Activity Data Visualizations with Older Adults

  Dimitri Vargemidis, Kathrin Gerling, Vero Vanden Abeele, Luc Geurts · 2023 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This mixed-methods study examines how older adults perceive and value different approaches to visualizing physical activity (PA) data from wearable activity trackers. The researchers combined semi-structured interviews (N=17) and an online survey (N=27) with 44 older adults…

  older adults · physical activity · data visualization · wearable technology · activity trackers

• Applying Technology in a Hybrid-Fashion to Create Dementia-Inclusive Community Spaces

  Elaine Czech · 2022 · Proceedings of the 24th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '22)

  This doctoral consortium paper presents PhD research exploring how technology can improve accessibility to community spaces and social programs for people living with dementia (PLWD) and their informal carers. The work is grounded in the growing practice of social prescribing —…

  dementia · cognitive accessibility · social prescribing · community-based design · hybrid spaces

• Assistive or Artistic Technologies? Exploring the Connections between Art, Disability and Wheelchair Use

  Giulia Barbareschi, Masa Inakage · 2022 · Proceedings of the 24th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '22)

  This paper explores the reciprocal influences between art, disability, and assistive technology use through semi-structured interviews with 17 artists who use wheelchairs for mobility. Participants spanned diverse artistic disciplines — dance (7), music and DJing (5), visual art…

  disability art · wheelchair accessibility · assistive technology · creativity · disability identity

• Designing Post-Trauma Self-Regulation Apps for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

  Krishna Venkatasubramanian, Tina-Marie Ranalli · 2022 · Proceedings of the 24th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '22)

  This paper explores how to design mobile apps that help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) engage in post-trauma self-regulation (PTSR) — activities that help manage negative emotional effects like anxiety, grief, and stress that arise from traumatic…

  intellectual disability · developmental disability · trauma-informed care · self-regulation · mental health

• Designing with and for People with Intellectual Disabilities

  Leandro Soares Guedes, Ryan Colin Gibson, Kirsten Ellis, Laurianne Sitbon, Monica Landoni · 2022 · Proceedings of the 24th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '22)

  This workshop paper proposes a half-day community-building event at ASSETS '22 focused on sharing expertise in designing technologies with and for people with intellectual disabilities. The authors identify that while assistive technologies can significantly support the…

  intellectual disability · co-design · participatory design · assistive technology · inclusive design

• Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Designing Accessible Systems for Users with Multiple Impairments: Grand Challenges and Opportunities for Future Research

  Arthur Theil, Chris Creed, Mohammed Shaqura, Nasrine Olson, Raymond John Holt, Sayan Sarcar, Stuart Murray · 2022 · Proceedings of the 24th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 22)

  This workshop paper from ASSETS 2022 challenges a fundamental assumption in accessibility research: that designing for one impairment category at a time is sufficient. The authors argue that this single-impairment approach, while practical and widespread, oversimplifies…

  multiple impairments · assistive technology · disability studies · multidisciplinary design · inclusive design