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• Demo: Expanding Blocks4All with Variables and Functions

  Jacqueline Shao Yi Ong, Nana Adwoa O. Amoah, Alison E. Garrett-Engele, Mariella Irene Page, Katherine R. McCarthy, Lauren R. Milne · 2019 · Proceedings of the 21st International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2019)

  This demonstration paper describes extensions to Blocks4All, an accessible blocks-based programming environment (BBPE) for iPad designed to enable children with visual impairments to learn programming through touchscreen interaction with screen reader support. Traditional BBPEs…

  programming education · blind · low vision · visual impairment · screen readers

• Making Memes Accessible

  Cole Gleason, Amy Pavel, Xingyu Liu, Patrick Carrington, Lydia B. Chilton, Jeffrey P. Bigham · 2019 · Proceedings of the 21st International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2019)

  This paper presents two semi-automatic methods for making internet image macro memes accessible to people with vision impairments: rich alternative text descriptions and audio macro memes. Memes are a pervasive form of online communication, yet they are almost entirely…

  alternative text · blind · low vision · social media · image accessibility

• A Proposal to Adapt the Semiotic Inspection Method to Analyze Screen Reader Mediated Interaction

  Lucas Pedroso Carvalho, Raquel Oliveira Prates, André Pimenta Freire · 2019 · Proceedings of the 18th Brazilian Symposium on Human Factors in Computing Systems (IHC 2019)

  This paper proposes SIM-SR (Semiotic Inspection Method for Screen Reader mediated interaction), an adaptation of the Semiotic Inspection Method (SIM) from Semiotic Engineering theory to evaluate how screen readers mediate the communication between designers and visually impaired…

  semiotic engineering · screen readers · communicability · blind users · low vision

• Visually Augmented Audio-Tactile Graphics for Visually Impaired People

  Timo Götzelmann · 2018 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing (TACCESS)

  This paper presents a novel system for creating visually augmented audio-tactile graphics using 3D printing and standard tablet computers, designed for people with visual impairments including those with residual vision. Traditional tactile graphics (raised-line drawings on…

  tactile graphics · 3D printing · audio-tactile · visual augmentation · low vision

• Exploring the Role of Tunnel Vision Simulation in the Design Cycle of Accessible Interfaces

  Rie Kamikubo, Keita Higuchi, Ryo Yonetani, Hideki Koike, Yoichi Sato · 2018 · Proceedings of the 15th International Web for All Conference (W4A 2018)

  This paper investigates whether gaze-contingent tunnel vision simulation can serve as a reliable tool within the design cycle for accessible web interfaces, enabling sighted developers to experience and evaluate prototypes under simulated visual field loss. The challenge…

  low vision · tunnel vision · retinitis pigmentosa · simulation · eye tracking

• Application for the configuration and adaptation of the Android operating system for the visually impaired

  Bruna de Oliveira, Juliana Cristina Braga, Rafael J. Pezzuto Damaceno · 2018 · Proceedings of the 15th International Web for All Conference (W4A 2018)

  This short paper presents the design and preliminary evaluation of an Android application that allows people with visual impairments (PVI) to configure their device’s accessibility settings using voice commands, bypassing the paradoxical problem that activating accessibility…

  Android · visual impairment · blind · low vision · TalkBack

• WebSight: Using AR and WebGL shaders to assist the visually impaired

  Dan Ruta, Louis Jordan, Tom James Fox, Rich Boakes · 2018 · Proceedings of the 15th International Web for All Conference (W4A 2018)

  This demonstration paper presents WebSight, a browser-based augmented reality system that uses WebGL shaders to process a smartphone’s live camera feed in real time, enhancing visual features to assist people with low vision in navigating real-world environments. An estimated…

  augmented reality · low vision · visual impairment · WebGL · edge detection

• "It Looks Beautiful but Scary": How Low Vision People Navigate Stairs and Other Surface Level Changes

  Yuhang Zhao, Elizabeth Kupferstein, Doron Tal, Shiri Azenkot · 2018 · Proceedings of the 20th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '18)

  This qualitative study investigates how people with low vision experience and navigate surface level changes — stairs, curbs, and other depth transitions — in built environments. Using contextual inquiry, the researchers observed and interviewed 14 participants with low vision…

  low vision · mobility · navigation · depth perception · stairs

• Design of an Augmented Reality Magnification Aid for Low Vision Users

  Lee Stearns, Leah Findlater, Jon E. Froehlich · 2018 · Proceedings of the 20th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '18)

  This paper explores the design space for augmented reality magnification aids for people with low vision, developing and iteratively refining two prototype systems using the Microsoft HoloLens. Unlike existing head-mounted displays that simply magnify 2D video from a camera,…

  low vision · augmented reality · magnification · wearable technology · head-mounted display

• Investigating Cursor-based Interactions to Support Non-Visual Exploration in the Real World

  Anhong Guo, Saige McVea, Xu Wang, Patrick Clary, Ken Goldman, Yang Li, Yu Zhong, Jeffrey P. Bigham · 2018 · Proceedings of the 20th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2018)

  This paper from Google and Carnegie Mellon University defines and compares three cursor-based interaction techniques designed to help blind and low vision people attend to specific items within complex real-world visual scenes. While computer vision systems like Seeing AI and…

  blindness · low vision · computer vision · non-visual exploration · mobile accessibility

• Understanding the Power of Control in Autonomous Vehicles for People with Vision Impairment

  Robin N. Brewer, Vaishnav Kameswaran · 2018 · Proceedings of the 20th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2018)

  This University of Michigan study investigates how people with vision impairments perceive control in semi-autonomous versus fully autonomous vehicles, a distinction previous research had not explored. The researchers conducted design-based focus groups with 15 participants…

  blindness · low vision · autonomous vehicles · accessible transportation · independence

• Exploring Aural and Haptic Feedback for Visually Impaired People on a Track: A Wizard of Oz Study

  Kyle Rector, Rachel Bartlett, Sean Mullan · 2018 · Proceedings of the 20th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2018)

  This University of Iowa study investigates how to make outdoor jogging tracks accessible to people who are blind or have low vision, addressing a gap in exercise accessibility research. Standard 400-meter tracks rely entirely on visual lane markings, and the overwhelming…

  blindness · low vision · exercise accessibility · navigation · haptic technology

• BrowseWithMe: An Online Clothes Shopping Assistant for People with Visual Impairments

  Abigale J. Stangl, Esha Kothari, Suyog D. Jain, Tom Yeh, Kristen Grauman, Danna Gurari · 2018 · Proceedings of the 20th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2018)

  This paper from the University of Colorado Boulder and University of Texas at Austin addresses the inaccessibility of online clothes shopping for people with visual impairments through both empirical investigation and a prototype AI-powered assistant called BrowseWithMe. The…

  blindness · low vision · web accessibility · online shopping · computer vision

• Understanding Authentication Method Use on Mobile Devices by People with Vision Impairment

  Daniella Briotto Faustino, Audrey Girouard · 2018 · Proceedings of the 20th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2018)

  This Carleton University study presents the largest survey to date on how people with vision impairments use passwords and authentication methods on mobile devices. The researchers collected responses from 325 participants (225 blind, 100 low vision) across 12 countries,…

  blindness · low vision · mobile accessibility · authentication · security

• MathMelodies 2: a Mobile Assistive Application for People with Visual Impairments Developed with React Native

  Niccolò Cantù, Mattia Ducci, Dragan Ahmetovic, Cristian Bernareggi, Sergio Mascetti · 2018 · Proceedings of the 20th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2018)

  This demo paper from the University of Milan and University of Turin reports on MathMelodies 2, a cross-platform math education app for blind and visually impaired (BVI) children in grades 1-5, developed using React Native. The original MathMelodies was iPad-only, developed in…

  blindness · low vision · mathematical accessibility · education · children

• A Demo of Talkit++: Interacting with 3D Printed Models Using an iOS Device

  Lei Shi, Zhuohao Zhang, Shiri Azenkot · 2018 · Proceedings of the 20th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2018)

  This Cornell Tech demo presents Talkit++, an iOS application that adds interactive multimedia labels to 3D printed tactile models for visually impaired students. Teachers of the visually impaired (TVIs) increasingly use 3D printers to create tactile learning materials, but these…

  blindness · low vision · 3D printing · tactile accessibility · computer vision

• Exploring an Ambiguous Technique for Eyes-Free Mobile Text Entry

  Dylan Gaines · 2018 · Proceedings of the 20th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2018)

  This student research competition paper from Michigan Technological University presents Tap123, an ambiguous eyes-free keyboard for mobile text entry that does not require users to tap specific keys. The system is motivated by the limitations of existing blind text entry…

  blindness · low vision · text entry · mobile accessibility · eyes-free interaction

• Emotionally Oriented Analysis of the Experiences of Visually Impaired People on Facebook

  Cristiane N. Nobre, Magali R. G. Meireles, Débora B. F. Da Silva, Alberto H. Faria, Niltom Vieira · 2018 · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing (TACCESS)

  This paper investigates the emotional experiences of visually impaired Facebook users compared to sighted users, using the PANAS (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule) psychological instrument. The research addresses a gap in accessibility literature: while many studies…

  blindness · low vision · social media accessibility · Facebook · emotional design

• Evaluating the Accessibility of the Job Search and Interview Process for People who are Blind and Visually Impaired

  William Grussenmeyer, Jesel Garcia, Eelke Folmer, Fang Jiang · 2017 · Proceedings of the 14th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This study investigates the accessibility barriers that people who are blind and visually impaired encounter throughout the job search and interview process in the United States, where the unemployment rate for this population stands at approximately 70%. The researchers…

  blindness · low vision · employment accessibility · job search · onboarding

• Technology-Mediated Sight: A Case Study of Early Adopters of a Low Vision Assistive Technology

  Annuska Zolyomi, Anushree Shukla, Jaime Snyder · 2017 · Proceedings of the 19th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This qualitative case study examines the psychosocial and adaptive experiences of early adopters of the eSight 2.0 — a head-mounted assistive device for people with low vision that captures live video and displays enhanced images on high-resolution OLED screens inside…

  low vision · assistive technology · head-mounted display · qualitative research · disability identity

• Opinions and Preferences of Blind and Low Vision Consumers Regarding Self-Driving Vehicles: Results of Focus Group Discussions

  Julian Brinkley, Brianna Posadas, Julia Woodward, Juan E. Gilbert · 2017 · Proceedings of the 19th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '17)

  This paper explores the opinions, concerns, and preferences of 38 blind and low vision participants regarding self-driving vehicle technology through eight focus group sessions conducted over two days in north central Florida. Participants had a mean age of 51.5 (range 18-90),…

  blindness · low vision · autonomous vehicles · accessible transportation · mobility

• HTML5 accessible video player: how and why

  Crista Earl, Elizabeth Neal · 2016 · Proceedings of the 13th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This paper from the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) describes the development of a free, open source HTML5 video player designed to address the widespread accessibility barriers in online video playback interfaces. The authors identify four key problems with existing…

  video accessibility · media accessibility · HTML5 · keyboard accessibility · low vision

• Web Accessibility Guidelines for the 2020s

  Michael Cooper · 2016 · Proceedings of the 13th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  Written by W3C/WAI staff member Michael Cooper, this paper provides an insider perspective on the strategic direction of web accessibility guidelines following the completion of the 2.0 suite — WCAG 2.0 (finalized 2008), ATAG 2.0 (2015), and UAAG 2.0 (2015). Cooper describes the…

  web accessibility · WCAG · WAI-ARIA · standards · guidelines

• 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

• How People with Low Vision Access Computing Devices: Understanding Challenges and Opportunities

  Sarit Felicia Anais Szpiro, Shafeka Hashash, Yuhang Zhao, Shiri Azenkot · 2016 · Proceedings of the 18th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '16)

  This paper presents a contextual inquiry study examining how 11 people with low vision use mainstream computing devices (smartphones, tablets, and computers) to perform common tasks like reading email and browsing news. Low vision affects at least 3.3 million Americans over 40,…

  low vision · screen magnification · visual impairment · mobile accessibility · usability