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• Grassroots Maker Perspectives on Participation in Do-It-Yourself Assistive Technology Development

  Saquib Sarwar, David Wilson, Khairul Mahbub · 2026 · Proceedings of the 2026 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '26)

  Sarwar, Wilson, and Mahbub interviewed 20 grassroots DIY assistive-technology (DIY-AT) makers in the U.S. between July 2021 and December 2023 to build a maker-centered account of the DIY-AT ecosystem. Participants were recruited from social media (Reddit r/AssistiveTechnology,…

  DIY assistive technology · assistive technology · 3D printing · digital fabrication · makerspace

• Open, Accurate, and Calibration-Free Muscle-Computer Interfaces

  Ethan Eddy, Evan Campbell, Erik J. Scheme, Scott Bateman · 2026 · Proceedings of the 2026 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '26)

  Eddy and colleagues tackle one of the long-standing barriers to practical muscle-computer interfaces (MCIs): that accurate, cross-user gesture recognition from forearm EMG has historically required either per-user calibration or access to closed datasets and proprietary…

  muscle-computer interface · electromyography · EMG · gesture recognition · machine learning

• IMAGE: An Open-Source, Extensible Framework for Deploying Accessible Audio and Haptic Renderings of Web Graphics

  Juliette Regimbal, Jeffrey R. Blum, Cyan Kuo, Jeremy R. Cooperstock · 2024 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This paper introduces IMAGE (Internet Multimodal Access to Graphical Exploration), an open-source software framework designed to help accessibility practitioners create and deploy audio and haptic representations of web graphics. The authors address a critical problem in…

  web graphics · sonification · haptic feedback · multimodal interaction · open source

• On the Identification of Accessibility Bug Reports in Open Source Systems

  Wajdi Aljedaani, Mohamed Wiem Mkaouer, Stephanie Ludi, Ali Ouni, Ilyes Jenhani · 2022 · Proceedings of the 19th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This paper addresses a significant gap in software engineering research: the automated identification of accessibility-related bug reports in open-source projects. While bug tracking systems like Bugzilla and Monorail accumulate vast numbers of reports, manually sifting through…

  accessibility bug reports · machine learning · open source · bug classification · automated testing

• Creating an Open Source, Customizable Accessibility Checker for Content Authors

  Adam Chaboryk · 2022 · Proceedings of the 19th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This extended abstract introduces Sa11y, an open-source, in-page accessibility checker specifically designed for content authors rather than developers. Created at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) to manage accessibility across several hundred website…

  automated testing · accessibility tools · content management · open source · quality assurance

• IMAGE: A Deployment Framework for Creating Multimodal Experiences of Web Graphics

  Juliette Regimbal, Jeffrey R. Blum, Jeremy R. Cooperstock · 2022 · Proceedings of the 19th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This short paper from McGill University introduces IMAGE (Internet Multimodal Access to Graphical Exploration), an open-source framework for converting web graphics into accessible multimodal outputs including audio, haptic, and text representations for blind and low vision…

  multimodal · web graphics · image accessibility · haptic feedback · sonification

• AccessMap Website Demonstration: Individualized, Accessible Pedestrian Trip Planning at Scale

  Nicholas Bolten, Anat Caspi · 2019 · Proceedings of the 21st International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This demonstration paper presents AccessMap, an open-source, city-scale interactive web map that provides individualized pedestrian infrastructure information and automatic trip planning for people with diverse mobility needs. The core problem is that traditional maps and…

  accessible mapping · pedestrian accessibility · mobility impairment · wheelchair accessibility · wayfinding

• Cyborg Pride: Self-Design in e-NABLE

  Peregrine Hawthorn, Daniel Ashbrook · 2017 · Proceedings of the 19th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This experience report documents the journey of Peregrine Hawthorn, born without fingers on his left hand, from being a recipient of a 3D-printed e-NABLE prosthetic hand to becoming an active designer, fabricator, and advocate for self-efficacy within the e-NABLE community.…

  3D printing · DIY assistive technology · prosthetics · disability identity · self-determination

• Prime III: Voting for a More Accessible Future

  Simone A. Smarr, Imani N. Sherman, Brianna Posadas, Juan E. Gilbert · 2017 · Proceedings of the 19th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '17)

  This demonstration paper presents Prime III, an open-source, multimodal electronic ballot marking system designed to allow all voters — regardless of ability or disability — to vote independently and privately on the same machine. Developed at the University of Florida beginning…

  accessible voting · universal design · multimodal interaction · blindness · civic participation

• Fast Human-Computer Interaction by Combining Gaze Pointing and Face Gestures

  David Rozado, Jason Niu, Martin Lochner · 2017 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This paper presents FaceSwitch, an open-source multimodal accessibility system that combines eye gaze tracking for cursor positioning with facial gesture recognition for triggering actions. The system addresses limitations of existing gaze-based interaction methods: gaze-only…

  eye tracking · gaze interaction · face tracking · facial gestures · motor disabilities

• Process Measures of Dyadic Collaborative Interaction for Social Skills Intervention in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

  Joshua Wade, Arpan Sarkar, Amy Swanson, Amy Weitlauf, Zachary Warren, Nilanjan Sarkar · 2017 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This paper presents DOSE (Dyad-Operated Social Encouragement), an open-source collaborative game and data acquisition platform designed for social skills intervention in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The system addresses a gap in existing technology-based…

  autism spectrum disorder · social skills · collaborative games · dyadic interaction · process measures

• WebReader: a screen reader for everyone, everywhere

  Aurelio De Rosa, Donovan Justice · 2016 · Proceedings of the 13th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This extended abstract presents WebReader, a free and open source JavaScript library that implements a subset of screen reader features directly within web pages, requiring no software installation beyond a web browser. The project addresses two key limitations of traditional…

  screen readers · web accessibility · JavaScript · Web Speech API · open source

• Playing Music with the Head

  Emeline Brulé · 2016 · Proceedings of the 18th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '16)

  This short paper describes the co-design process leading to an open source music-playing software for M., a person living with severe motor, dexterity, and speech impairments in a nursing home in France. The system uses an infrared camera mounted on top of a computer to track…

  music accessibility · motor disability · co-design · participatory design · DIY assistive technology

• WeAllWalk: An Annotated Data Set of Inertial Sensor Time Series from Blind Walkers

  German H. Flores, Roberto Manduchi · 2016 · Proceedings of the 18th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '16)

  This paper introduces WeAllWalk, an openly accessible and annotated data set of inertial sensor time series collected from blind individuals walking through complex indoor routes. The data set addresses a critical gap in assistive navigation research: while step counting and…

  blindness · indoor navigation · wayfinding · inertial sensing · data collection

• LucentMaps: 3D Printed Audiovisual Tactile Maps for Blind and Visually Impaired People

  Timo Götzelmann · 2016 · Proceedings of the 18th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '16)

  This paper presents LucentMaps, a system for creating 3D printed transparent audiovisual tactile maps that work as interactive overlays on standard tablet computers and smartphones. Unlike most audio-tactile map approaches that focus exclusively on blind users, LucentMaps serves…

  tactile maps · tactile graphics · 3D printing · blindness · low vision

• The Implementation of a Vocabulary and Grammar for an Open-Source Speech-Recognition Programming Platform

  Jean K. Rodriguez-Cartagena, Andrea C. Claudio-Palacios, Natalia Pacheco-Tallaj, Valerie Santiago González, Patricia Ordonez-Franco · 2015 · ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This paper presents the development of a standardized vocabulary and grammar for voice-based programming, designed to make coding accessible to people with limited hand mobility or visual impairments. The work is part of the larger Kavita Project, which aims to create an…

  speech recognition · voice input · programming · motor impairment · repetitive strain injury

• Widget Design Authoring Toolkit

  Elaine Pearson, Franck-Olivier Perrin · 2014 · Proceedings of the 11th Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This paper presents WIDGaT (Widget Design and Authoring Toolkit), an open-source, code-free online tool that enables non-technical teaching and support staff to create personalised widgets for disabled students in higher education. The project, developed at Teesside University's…

  education accessibility · personalization · authoring tools · learning disabilities · assistive technology

• Improving Programming Interfaces for People with Limited Mobility Using Voice Recognition

  Xiomara Figueroa Fontánez, Patricia Ordóñez · 2014 · Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This paper describes an effort to make programming more accessible to people with motor impairments by integrating voice recognition into an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The work is motivated by the specific case of a computer scientist with spinal muscular atrophy…

  programming accessibility · voice interface · speech recognition · motor disability · spinal muscular atrophy

• Crowd Caption Correction (CCC)

  Rebecca Perkins Harrington, Gregg C. Vanderheiden · 2013 · Proceedings of the 15th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (Assets '13)

  This short paper presents Crowd Caption Correction (CCC), a feature that allows meeting participants or authorized third parties to correct errors in real-time captions during telecollaboration sessions. Captions are critical for deaf and hard of hearing people to participate in…

  captioning · deaf and hard of hearing · crowdsourcing · telecollaboration · real-time captioning

• PlatMult: A Multisensory Platform with Web Accessibility Features for Low Vision Users

  Marcio Oyamada, Jorge Bidarra, Clodis Boscarioli · 2013 · Proceedings of the 15th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This poster paper presents PlatMult, an integrated hardware and software platform that combines three sensory modalities — visual, auditory, and tactile — to improve web accessibility for low vision users. The authors note that screen magnifiers, the most common assistive…

  low vision · screen magnifier · screen reader · haptic feedback · multisensory

• Farfalla Project: Browser-Based Accessibility Solutions

  Andrea Mangiatordi, Harpreet Singh Sareen · 2011 · Proceedings of the International Cross-Disciplinary Conference on Web Accessibility (W4A)

  This paper presents Farfalla, a free and open-source project from the University of Milano Bicocca that provides cloud-based assistive technology through the browser, eliminating the need for locally installed software. The core insight is that traditional AT is deeply tied to…

  assistive technology · cloud computing · web accessibility · accessibility tools · browser extension

• WebAnywhere: Experiences with a New Delivery Model for Access Technology

  Jeffrey P. Bigham, Wendy Chisholm, Richard E. Ladner · 2010 · Proceedings of the 2010 International Cross Disciplinary Conference on Web Accessibility (W4A)

  This follow-up paper describes the evolution of WebAnywhere two years after its initial release, documenting how it expanded from a web-based screen reader for blind users into a broader platform for delivering access technology. Released publicly in June 2008, WebAnywhere…

  screen readers · blindness · low vision · web-based assistive technology · text-to-speech

• AChecker: open, interactive, customizable, web accessibility checking

  Greg Gay, Cindy Qi Li · 2010 · Proceedings of the 2010 International Cross Disciplinary Conference on Web Accessibility (W4A)

  This paper introduces AChecker, an open-source web accessibility checker developed at the University of Toronto's Adaptive Technology Resource Centre. AChecker was designed to address two fundamental shortcomings of existing accessibility evaluation tools: the lack of…

  automated testing · accessibility evaluation · open source · WCAG compliance · accessibility tools

• 3D HapticWebBrowser: towards universal web navigation for the visually impaired

  Nikolaos Kaklanis, Konstantinos Votis, Konstantinos Moustakas, Dimitrios Tzovaras · 2010 · Proceedings of the 2010 International Cross Disciplinary Conference on Web Accessibility (W4A)

  This paper presents the 3D HapticWebBrowser, a free open-source web browser that uses haptic (touch feedback) technology to enable visually impaired users to navigate web pages and explore 2D maps. The system transforms HTML elements into "hapgets" — haptically-enhanced 3D…

  haptic technology · visual impairment · blindness · multimodal interaction · accessible maps

• ITHACA: An Open Source Framework for Building Component-Based Augmentative and Alternative Communication Applications

  Alexandros Pino, Georgios Kouroupetroglou · 2010 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This paper introduces ITHACA, an open source software framework for developing modular, customizable AAC applications. The authors address a persistent problem in assistive technology: AAC products are typically expensive, monolithic, difficult to customize, and limited in…

  augmentative and alternative communication · AAC · open source · assistive technology · component-based development