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• The Tactile Graphics Helper: Providing Audio Clarification for Tactile Graphics Using Machine Vision

  Giovanni Fusco, Valerie S. Morash · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This paper presents the Tactile Graphics Helper (TGH), a machine vision system that enables students who are blind or visually impaired to independently access clarifying information about tactile graphics without sighted assistance. Tactile graphics—raised line drawings,…

  tactile graphics · visual impairment · blindness · STEM education · machine vision

• Breaking Barriers with Assistive Macros

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

  This paper introduces Assistive Macros, an Android accessibility service that enables users with motor impairments to perform multi-step interactions with a single selection. The system addresses two critical problems: the extreme time consumption of sequential scanning…

  switch access · motor impairment · mobile accessibility · Android · macros

• User Participation When Users have Mental and Cognitive Disabilities

  Stefan Johansson, Jan Gulliksen, Ann Lantz · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This paper describes methods developed to enable meaningful participation in ICT research by people with mental and cognitive disabilities—a population often excluded from user studies. Over 100 participants with conditions including depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar…

  mental health · cognitive disability · participatory design · user research · inclusion

• Using Dynamic Audio Feedback to Support Peripersonal Reaching in Visually Impaired People

  Graham Wilson, Stephen A. Brewster · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This demonstration paper explores how dynamic audio feedback can help blind and visually impaired people locate and reach for objects in their immediate (peripersonal) space. The research addresses an important developmental challenge: blind children engage less with objects in…

  visual impairment · audio feedback · sonification · spatial awareness · child development

• ARMStrokes: A Mobile App for Everyday Stroke Rehabilitation

  Jin Guo, Ted Smith, David Messing, Ziying Tang, Sonia Lawson, Jinjuan Heidi Feng · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This paper presents ARMStrokes, an iPhone application that enables stroke survivors to perform upper extremity rehabilitation exercises anywhere and anytime using only built-in smartphone sensors. Stroke affects over 795,000 Americans annually and often causes long-term…

  stroke rehabilitation · mobile health · exergames · upper extremity · motor impairment

• Towards Large Scale Evaluation of Novel Sonification Techniques for Non Visual Shape Exploration

  Andrea Gerino, Lorenzo Picinali, Cristian Bernareggi, Nicolò Alabastro, Sergio Mascetti · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This paper presents six sonification techniques for exploring shapes on touchscreen devices and evaluates them through Invisible Puzzle, an iPhone application enabling large-scale unsupervised testing. The research addresses a critical need: people who are blind need access to…

  sonification · blindness · visual impairment · touchscreen · image exploration

• Can We Make Dynamic, Accessible and Fun One-Switch Video Games?

  Sebastián Aced López, Fulvio Corno, Luigi De Russis · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This demonstration paper tackles a significant gap in accessible gaming: children with severe motor disabilities who rely on single-switch input are typically limited to static, time-independent games that lack the dynamic engagement of mainstream video games. The fundamental…

  switch access · game accessibility · motor disabilities · children · assistive technology

• TactileMaps.net: A Web Interface for Generating Customized 3D-Printable Tactile Maps

  Brandon T. Taylor, Anind K. Dey, Dan P. Siewiorek, Asim Smailagic · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This demonstration paper presents TactileMaps.net, a web-based tool that enables visually impaired users to independently generate customized 3D-printable tactile maps. Tactile maps are valuable tools for helping blind individuals understand their environment, but traditionally…

  visual impairment · tactile graphics · 3D printing · maps · wayfinding

• Zebra Crossing Spotter: Automatic Population of Spatial Databases for Increased Safety of Blind Travelers

  Dragan Ahmetovic, Roberto Manduchi, James M. Coughlan, Sergio Mascetti · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This paper presents a computer vision system that automatically detects zebra crosswalks by mining satellite imagery and Google Street View, with the goal of augmenting geographic information systems (GIS) to help blind travelers plan safer routes. Knowing crosswalk locations is…

  visual impairment · navigation · computer vision · pedestrian crossings · wayfinding

• Exploring New Paradigms for Accessible 3D Printed Graphs

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

  This paper explores novel approaches to representing bar graphs for blind users using 3D printing technology, moving beyond traditional flat tactile graphics. Traditional tactile graphics (created with swell paper, embossers, or thermoform) use raised lines and textures on flat…

  visual impairment · tactile graphics · 3D printing · data visualization · STEM education

• Collaborative Creation of Digital Tactile Graphics

  Jens Bornschein, Denise Prescher, Gerhard Weber · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This paper presents the Tangram Workstation, a collaborative system enabling sighted transcribers and blind reviewers to work together in real-time when creating tactile graphics. The fundamental insight is that current tactile graphics production involves sighted transcribers…

  visual impairment · tactile graphics · collaboration · pin-matrix display · refreshable braille display

• ForeSee: A Customizable Head-Mounted Vision Enhancement System for People with Low Vision

  Yuhang Zhao, Sarit Szpiro, Shiri Azenkot · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This paper presents ForeSee, a video see-through augmented reality system that enhances the visual experience for people with low vision. Unlike assistive technologies that bypass vision entirely (like screen readers), ForeSee leverages users' remaining functional vision—which…

  low vision · augmented reality · head-mounted display · vision enhancement · magnification

• Typing Performance of Blind Users: An Analysis of Touch Behaviors, Learning Effect, and In-Situ Usage

  Hugo Nicolau, Kyle Montague, Tiago Guerreiro, André Rodrigues, Vicki L. Hanson · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This longitudinal study provides the most detailed analysis to date of how novice blind users learn to type on touchscreen keyboards using the Explore by Touch paradigm (where users slide fingers across the screen to hear key names, then lift to select). Five legally blind…

  visual impairment · touchscreen · text entry · mobile accessibility · screen reader

• The Effects of Automatic Speech Recognition Quality on Human Transcription Latency

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

  This paper investigates a practical question for accessibility: when does providing automatic speech recognition (ASR) output help human captionists work faster, and when does it slow them down? Converting speech to text is fundamental for making audio content accessible to deaf…

  deaf · hard of hearing · automatic speech recognition · ASR · captioning

• Demographic and Experiential Factors Influencing Acceptance of Sign Language Animation by Deaf Users

  Hernisa Kacorri, Matt Huenerfauth, Sarah Ebling, Kasmira Patel, Mackenzie Willard · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This paper addresses a critical methodological gap in sign language animation research: the lack of standardized reporting on participant characteristics that may influence evaluation results. Sign language animation technology—which automatically synthesizes signing from…

  deaf · sign language · animation · avatar · ASL

• Sensory Substitution Training for Users Who Are Blind with Dynamic Stimuli, Games and Virtual Environments

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

  This paper explores whether gamification and dynamic training can address one of the major barriers to sensory substitution device (SSD) adoption: the long, arduous learning process. SSDs like EyeMusic convert visual information into sound, enabling people who are blind to…

  sensory substitution · blindness · congenital blindness · visual rehabilitation · gamification

• A System for Controlling Assisted Living Environments Using Mobile Devices

  Paulo A. Condado, Fernando G. Lobo · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This paper presents EasyHouse, a smartphone-based home automation system designed to be accessible for people with motor disabilities while remaining usable by all family members. The system addresses a gap in the smart home market: most domotic (home automation) products target…

  home automation · smart home · motor disabilities · cerebral palsy · mobile accessibility

• Transcribing Across the Senses: Community Efforts to Create 3D Printable Accessible Tactile Pictures for Young Children with Visual Impairments

  Abigale Stangl, Chia-Lo Hsu, Tom Yeh · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This formative study investigates how different stakeholder communities approach designing 3D printable accessible tactile pictures (3DP-ATPs) for young children with visual impairments. While 3D printing offers potential to democratize tactile material production—traditionally…

  3D printing · tactile graphics · visual impairment · children · emergent literacy

• Social Media Platforms for Low-Income Blind People in India

  Aditya Vashistha, Edward Cutrell, Nicola Dell, Richard Anderson · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This groundbreaking study provides the first analysis of social media use and non-use by low-income blind people in rural and peri-urban India—a population largely absent from accessibility research despite India having the world's largest blind population (63+ million). The…

  blindness · social media · low-income · India · Global South

• Inclusion and Education: 3D Printing for Integrated Classrooms

  Erin Buehler, William Easley, Samantha McDonald, Niara Comrie, Amy Hurst · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This research addresses the severe employment gap facing adults with intellectual disabilities (ID)—over 60% unemployment versus roughly 25% for the general population—by exploring whether 3D printing skills can be taught in integrated postsecondary settings. The study is…

  intellectual disability · 3D printing · inclusive education · postsecondary education · employability

• A Game to Target the Spelling of German Children with Dyslexia

  Maria Rauschenberger, Silke Fuechsel, Luz Rello, Clara Bayarri, Azuki Gòrriz · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This demonstration paper presents the adaptation of Dyseggxia, a successful Spanish spelling game for children with dyslexia, to the German language. The original Spanish version was evaluated in an 8-week study with 48 children (ages 6-11) and showed that error-based game…

  dyslexia · serious games · spelling · German · children

• EnTable: Rewriting Web Data Sets as Accessible Tables

  Steven Gardiner, Anthony Tomasic, John Zimmerman · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This demonstration paper presents EnTable, a crowdsourcing system that transforms visually complex web data presentations into accessible HTML tables. The problem it addresses is fundamental: modern web designers communicate semantic information through sophisticated CSS and…

  web accessibility · crowdsourcing · screen readers · data tables · transcoding

• READ: A (Research) Platform for Evaluating Non-visual Access Methods to Digital Documents

  Laurent Sorin, Julie Lemarié, Mustapha Mojahid · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  READ (Documents Architecture REstitution) is a configurable research platform for evaluating alternative methods of non-visual access to digital documents. The system addresses a well-documented problem: despite extensive functionality, screen readers remain frustrating and…

  document accessibility · research platform · non-visual access · screen readers · text-to-speech

• ChatWoz: Chatting through a Wizard of Oz

  Pedro Fialho, Luísa Coheur · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  ChatWoz is a Wizard of Oz system designed to enable autistic children to interact with caregivers through a virtual avatar. The system was motivated by widely reported cases of autistic children enthusiastically engaging with commercial virtual assistants like Apple's Siri and…

  autism · Wizard of Oz · virtual agent · dialogue systems · child-caregiver interaction

• Accessible Mobile Biometrics for Elderly

  Ramon Blanco-Gonzalo, Raul Sanchez-Reillo, Loïc Martínez-Normand, Belen Fernandez-Saavedra, Judith Liu-Jimenez · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This paper presents one of the first accessibility evaluations of mobile biometric authentication, focusing on elderly users making Point of Sale payments via smartphone. The researchers developed an Android app using NFC communication and two biometric modalities—fingerprint…

  biometrics · elderly · mobile accessibility · authentication · fingerprint