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• Beyond Audio Description: Exploring 360° Video Accessibility with Blind and Low Vision Users Through Collaborative Creation

  Lucy Jiang, Mahika Phutane, Shiri Azenkot · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This paper investigates how to make 360-degree videos accessible to blind and low vision (BLV) users while preserving their immersive nature — a challenge that goes well beyond simply adding traditional audio description (AD). The researchers conducted a two-part study with 14…

  audio description · 360 video · video accessibility · blind and low vision · co-design

• A Usability Study of Nomon: A Flexible Interface for Single-Switch Users

  Nicholas Bonaker, Emli-Mari Nel, Keith Vertanen, Tamara Broderick · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This paper presents the first usability study of Nomon — an alternative single-switch interface — with actual motor-impaired users, comparing it against the widely used row-column scanning (RCS) method. Single-switch interfaces are essential communication tools for people with…

  single switch · augmentative and alternative communication · motor impairment · text entry · scanning

• The Guide Has Your Back: Exploring How Sighted Guides Can Enhance Accessibility in Social Virtual Reality for Blind and Low Vision People

  Jazmin Collins, Crescentia Jung, Yeonju Jang, Danielle Montour, Andrea Stevenson Won, Shiri Azenkot · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This paper presents the first exploration of using sighted guides to enhance accessibility in social virtual reality for blind and low vision (BLV) people. The researchers built a VR prototype in Unity deployed on Meta Quest 2 headsets, featuring three simulated park…

  virtual reality · social VR · blind and low vision · sighted guide · navigation

• Barriers and Benefits: The Path to Accessible Makerspaces

  Katherine H. Allen, Audrey K. Balaska, Reuben M. Aronson, Chris Rogers, Elaine Schaertl Short · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This paper investigates the intersection of makerspace culture and the disability community, exploring how makerspaces can better support the development of assistive technologies by and for disabled makers. The researchers conducted eleven semi-structured interviews with two…

  makerspaces · DIY assistive technology · co-design · inclusion · accessibility barriers

• Co-designing new keyboard and mouse solutions with people living with motor impairments

  Rodolfo Cossovich, Steve Hodges, Jin Kang, Audrey Girouard · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This short paper describes a co-design process for developing accessible alternatives to traditional keyboard and mouse interfaces, conducted in collaboration with people living with motor impairments. The study involved three phases: an initial survey of 42 people with physical…

  co-design · motor impairment · input devices · rapid prototyping · keyboard

• Understanding Challenges and Opportunities in Body Movement Education of People who are Blind or have Low Vision

  Madhuka De Silva, Sarah Goodwin, Leona Holloway, Matthew Butler · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This paper provides a comprehensive investigation of the challenges and opportunities in teaching body movement — including dance, sports, martial arts, yoga, and fitness — to people who are blind or have low vision (BLV). The researchers conducted a three-phase study:…

  blind and low vision · body movement · education · dance · sports

• The Potential of a Visual Dialogue Agent In a Tandem Automated Audio Description System for Videos

  Abigale Stangl, Shasta Ihorn, Yue-Ting Siu, Aditya Bodi, Mar Castanon, Lothar D Narins, Ilmi Yoon · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This paper presents and evaluates a tandem AI-based audio description (AD) system for videos that combines two complementary tools: NarrationBot, which delivers automated minimum viable descriptions (MVD) of video content, and InfoBot, a visual dialogue agent that allows users…

  audio description · blind and low vision · visual question answering · visual dialogue · AI

• The Eyes Have It: Visual Feedback Methods to Make Walking in Immersive Virtual Reality More Accessible for People With Mobility Impairments While Utilizing Head-Mounted Displays

  M. Rasel Mahmud, Alberto Cordova, John Quarles · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This paper addresses a critical accessibility barrier in VR: head-mounted displays (HMDs) obstruct peripheral vision of the real world, causing gait disturbances that are particularly dangerous for people with mobility impairments who rely on visual cues for balance. The…

  virtual reality · mobility impairment · multiple sclerosis · gait · visual feedback

• Understanding Noise Sensitivity through Interactions in Two Online Autism Forums

  Emani Dotch, Jazette Johnson, Rebecca W. Black, Gillian R Hayes · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This qualitative study examines how autistic people discuss and manage noise sensitivity by analyzing posts and comments from two online autism forums. Noise sensitivity is one of the most prevalent sensory processing challenges for autistic individuals, experienced by 50-70% of…

  autism · noise sensitivity · sensory processing · online communities · assistive technology

• Investigation into Stress Triggers in Autistic Adults for the Development of Technological Self-Interventions

  John Joseph McGowan, Iain Peter McGregor · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This paper presents findings from a large-scale online survey of over 200 autistic adults and caregivers, investigating common stress triggers and the role of technology in stress management. The research is the initial phase of a broader project aimed at developing a Stress…

  autism · stress management · sensory processing · assistive technology · virtual reality

• 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

• Comparing Natural Language and Vibro-Audio Modalities for Inclusive STEM Learning with Blind and Low Vision Users

  Justin R. Brown, Stacy A. Doore, Justin K. Dimmel, Norbert Giudice, Nicholas A. Giudice · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This study evaluates a multimodal touchscreen diagram system (MDS v 2.0) built on an iPhone that provides blind and low vision (BLV) users with two non-visual methods for accessing graphical STEM content: natural language (NL) descriptions delivered via VoiceOver text-to-speech,…

  blind and low vision · STEM accessibility · data visualization · haptic technology · multimodal interaction

• Understanding Digital Content Creation Needs of Blind and Low Vision People

  Lotus Zhang, Simon Sun, Leah Findlater · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This mixed-method study investigates the digital content creation needs, interests, and experiences of blind and low vision (BLV) people through a large-scale survey (N=165) and follow-up interviews (N=15). The research addresses a gap in accessibility research, which has…

  blind and low vision · content creation · creativity · digital accessibility · screen readers

• 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

• TouchPilot: Designing a Guidance System that Assists Blind People in Learning Complex 3D Structures

  Xiyue Wang, Seita Kayukawa, Hironobu Takagi, Chieko Asakawa · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This paper introduces TouchPilot, a step-by-step guidance system designed to help blind people independently learn complex 3D structures through interactive 3D printed models (I3Ms). While existing I3Ms allow blind users to trigger audio labels by pointing at specific elements,…

  3D printed models · tactile learning · blindness · computer vision · guidance systems

• AudioQ: A Debugging Extension for Visually Impaired Developers

  Sehej Kumar, Shreyas Kotla · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This extended abstract presents AudioQ, a Visual Studio Code extension designed to improve the debugging experience for visually impaired software developers. The extension addresses a specific gap in current accessibility tools: while screen readers can read code and error…

  software development · blind and low vision · screen readers · debugging · IDE accessibility

• Reimagining Machine Learning's Role in Assistive Technology by Co-Designing Exergames with Children Using a Participatory Machine Learning Design Probe

  Jared Duval, Laia Turmo Vidal, Elena Márquez Segura, Yinchu Li, Annika Waern · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This paper fundamentally reframes the role of machine learning in assistive technology, arguing that ML models do not need to be accurate to be valuable — they can serve as sources of play and motivation rather than diagnostic tools. The researchers developed Cirkus, a…

  machine learning · participatory design · exergames · children · sensory processing

• A feasibility study on the use of audio-based ecological momentary assessment with persons with aphasia

  Hester, Yolanda, Billah, Syed Masum, Shinohara, Kristen · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This paper presents a feasibility study investigating whether audio-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) can be used to evaluate word-finding difficulties (anomia) in people with aphasia outside clinical settings. Aphasia, a language disorder typically resulting from…

  aphasia · ecological momentary assessment · smartwatch · audio data collection · anomia

• A Large-Scale Mixed-Methods Analysis of Blind and Low-vision Research in ACM and IEEE

  Thoo, Yong-Joon, Jeanneret Medina, Maximiliano, Froehlich, Jon E., Ruffieux, Nicolas, Lalanne, Denis · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This paper provides the most comprehensive mapping to date of research on technology for blind and low-vision (BLV) people published across ACM and IEEE venues between 2010 and 2022. The authors combined quantitative bibliometric methods — specifically documents bibliographic…

  blind and low vision · systematic review · bibliometrics · visual impairment · literature review

• Towards a Social Justice Aligned Makerspace: Co-designing Custom Assistive Technology within a University Ecosystem

  Higgins, Erin, Oliver, Zaria, Hamidi, Foad · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This paper explores how university makerspaces can serve as sites for co-designing custom Do-It-Yourself assistive technology (DIY-AT) while simultaneously engaging with social justice issues faced by students with disabilities. Conducted at the University of Maryland, Baltimore…

  DIY assistive technology · 3D printing · digital fabrication · makerspaces · co-design

• Working at the Intersection of Race, Disability and Accessibility

  Harrington, Christina N., Desai, Aashaka, Lewis, Aaleyah, Moharana, Sanika, Ross, Anne Spencer, Mankoff, Jennifer · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This paper argues that accessibility research has systematically overlooked race as a meaningful construct, treating it at best as a shallow demographic variable while studying disability in isolation. The authors — a racially diverse team from Carnegie Mellon, University of…

  intersectionality · race · disability · social justice · critical race theory

• Jod: Examining Design and Implementation of a Videoconferencing Platform for Mixed Hearing Groups

  Mittal, Anant, Gupta, Meghna, Poddar, Roshni, Naik, Tarini, Kuppuraj, Seethalakshmi, Fogarty, James, Kumar, Pratyush, Jain, Mohit · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This paper presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of Jod (a Hindi word meaning "link"), a web-based videoconferencing platform purpose-built for mixed hearing group communication. Current platforms like Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet present significant accessibility…

  deaf and hard of hearing · videoconferencing · sign language · mixed hearing groups · visual layout

• User Perceptions and Preferences for Online Surveys in American Sign Language: An Exploratory Study

  Rachel Boll, Shruti Mahajan, Tish Burke, Khulood Alkhudaidi, Brittany Henriques, Isabelle Cordova, Zoey Walker, Erin T. Solovey, Jeanne Reis · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This paper presents SL-Surveys, an interactive prototype survey tool designed from the ground up for American Sign Language (ASL) rather than retrofitting text-based survey platforms with ASL video content. The research team, which included Deaf ASL-signing researchers,…

  deaf and hard of hearing · American Sign Language · survey design · user experience · ASL-centric design

• "Not There Yet": Feasibility and Challenges of Mobile Sound Recognition to Support Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing People

  Jeremy Zhengqi Huang, Hriday Chhabria, Dhruv Jain · 2023 · Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This paper presents the first longitudinal field study of a mobile sound recognition system used by Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) people in their daily lives. The researchers deployed SoundWatch, a smartwatch-based app that uses a deep learning model (Google YAMNet…

  deaf and hard of hearing · sound recognition · wearable technology · smartwatch · assistive technology