Literature Reviews

Reviewed research papers, articles, and publications relevant to digital accessibility.

• Epidemiology as a Framework for Large-Scale Mobile Application Accessibility Assessment

  Anne Spencer Ross, Xiaoyi Zhang, James Fogarty, Jacob O. Wobbrock (2017) — Proceedings of the 19th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This paper introduces a novel conceptual framework for understanding mobile app accessibility by drawing an extended metaphor from epidemiology — the study of disease patterns, causes, and effects in populations. The core insight is that app accessib…

  • mobile accessibility
  • accessibility testing
  • automated testing
  • Android
  • accessibility frameworks
  • population-level analysis
  • accessibility barriers
  • app accessibility

• Speed-Accuracy Tradeoffs for Detecting Sign Language Content in Video Sharing Sites

  Frank M. Shipman, Satyakiran Duggina, Caio D.D. Monteiro, Ricardo Gutierrez-Osuna (2017) — Proceedings of the 19th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This paper addresses the problem of automatically detecting sign language content in videos on sharing platforms like YouTube and Vimeo. For many deaf and hard-of-hearing people, sign language is their primary communication medium, and they rely on o…

  • sign language
  • computer vision
  • video classification
  • information retrieval
  • deaf and hard of hearing
  • machine learning
  • video accessibility
  • content detection

• Digital Strategies for Supporting Strengths- and Interests-based Learning with Children with Autism

  Cara Wilson, Margot Brereton, Bernd Ploderer, Laurianne Sitbon, Beth Saggers (2017) — Proceedings of the 19th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This paper investigates how an open-ended audio-visual calendaring app called MeCalendar was appropriated by children with autism and their teachers in classroom settings, shifting the focus from deficit-remediation to strengths- and interests-based …

  • autism
  • educational technology
  • children
  • strengths-based approach
  • self-determination
  • participatory design
  • inclusive design
  • classroom technology
  • self-expression
  • neurodiversity

• Sign Language Support System for Viewing Sports Programs

  Tsubasa Uchida, Taro Miyazaki, Makiko Azuma, Shuichi Umeda, Naoto Kato, Hideki Sumiyoshi, Yuko Yamanouchi, Nobuyuki Hiruma (2017) — Proceedings of the 19th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This demonstration paper from NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) presents a prototype system that provides Japanese Sign Language (JSL) support for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers watching sports broadcasts. The system was developed in response to…

  • sign language
  • signing avatar
  • Japanese Sign Language
  • deaf and hard of hearing
  • media accessibility
  • sports accessibility
  • computer graphics
  • broadcast accessibility

• Real-Time Depth-Camera Based Hand Tracking for ASL Recognition

  Brandon Taylor, Anind Dey, Daniel Siewiorek, Asim Smailagic (2017) — Proceedings of the 19th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This demonstration paper validates the use of a publicly available real-time hand tracking algorithm (Sphere-Mesh) for recognizing American Sign Language (ASL) handshapes using a depth camera. Sign Language Recognition (SLR) has long been a motivatin…

  • sign language recognition
  • hand tracking
  • computer vision
  • depth camera
  • machine learning
  • American Sign Language
  • fingerspelling
  • deaf and hard of hearing

• Personal Perspectives on Using Automatic Speech Recognition to Facilitate Communication between Deaf Students and Hearing Customers

  James R. Mallory, Michael Stinson, Lisa Elliot, Donna Easton (2017) — Proceedings of the 19th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This experience report examines the use of Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) via the WhatsApp smartphone app to facilitate communication between deaf and hard-of-hearing (D/HH) students and hearing business customers in real workplace settings. The …

  • automatic speech recognition
  • deaf and hard of hearing
  • workplace accessibility
  • deaf education
  • speech recognition
  • communication accessibility
  • mobile accessibility

• 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 withi…

  • 3D printing
  • DIY assistive technology
  • prosthetics
  • disability identity
  • self-determination
  • open source
  • participatory design
  • limb difference
  • maker culture

• Evaluating Wrist-Based Haptic Feedback for Non-Visual Target Finding and Path Tracing on a 2D Surface

  Jonggi Hong, Alisha Pradhan, Jon E. Froehlich, Leah Findlater (2017) — Proceedings of the 19th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This paper investigates wrist-worn haptic wristbands as a means to provide directional hand guidance for blind and visually impaired users on a 2D surface. Precisely guiding a blind person's hand has applications ranging from tracing printed text to …

  • haptic feedback
  • wearable technology
  • blindness
  • tactile accessibility
  • assistive technology
  • non-visual interaction
  • hand guidance

• Blocks4All Demonstration: a Blocks-Based Programming Environment for Blind Children

  Lauren R. Milne, Catherine M. Baker, Richard E. Ladner (2017) — Proceedings of the 19th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  Blocks4All is a tablet-based iOS application designed to make blocks-based programming accessible to blind and low-vision children. Blocks-based programming environments like Scratch and Blockly have become central to K-12 computer science education …

  • programming education
  • blindness
  • children
  • touchscreen accessibility
  • screen readers
  • blocks-based programming
  • educational technology
  • inclusive design

• Sign'Maths: An Interactive Dictionary in French Sign Language

  Camille Nadal, Christophe Collet (2017) — Proceedings of the 19th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  Sign'Maths is an online interactive dictionary designed to give deaf students access to mathematical definitions in French Sign Language (LSF). The project emerges from a significant gap in deaf education: while France legally recognized Sign Languag…

  • deaf education
  • sign language
  • e-learning
  • mathematical accessibility
  • bilingual education
  • user-centered design
  • French Sign Language