Literature Reviews

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

• PLUMB: Displaying Graphs to the Blind Using an Active Auditory Interface

  Robert F. Cohen, Rui Yu, Arthur Meacham, Joelle Skaff (2005) — Proceedings of the 7th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (Assets '05)

  This short paper presents PLUMB (exPLoring graphs at UMB), a system developed at UMass Boston that enables blind users to explore relational graphs through an active auditory interface on a tablet PC. The system addresses a fundamental barrier in com…

  • sonification
  • graph accessibility
  • blindness
  • auditory interface
  • computer science education
  • non-visual interaction
  • data visualization
  • STEM accessibility

• An Exploratory Investigation of Handheld Computer Interaction for Older Adults with Visual Impairments

  V. Kathlene Leonard, Julie A. Jacko, Joseph J. Pizzimenti (2005) — Proceedings of the 7th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (Assets '05)

  This study investigates factors affecting handheld computer interaction for older adults with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), extending prior desktop-focused HCI research to small-screen mobile devices. Thirteen participants with AMD and visu…

  • macular degeneration
  • older adults
  • handheld computers
  • mobile computing
  • visual impairment
  • auditory feedback
  • drag and drop
  • icon design
  • GUI accessibility

• Talking Braille: A Wireless Ubiquitous Computing Network for Orientation and Wayfinding

  David A. Ross, Alexander Lightman (2005) — Proceedings of the 7th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (Assets '05)

  This paper presents the design and initial evaluation of the Talking Braille system, a wireless ubiquitous computing network designed to help people with vision loss navigate indoor public spaces. The system is built around the "Cyber Crumb" concept:…

  • wayfinding
  • orientation
  • blindness
  • ubiquitous computing
  • indoor navigation
  • assistive technology
  • braille
  • wireless networks

• Automatic Production of Tactile Graphics from Scalable Vector Graphics

  Stephen E. Krufka, Kenneth E. Barner (2005) — Proceedings of the 7th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (Assets '05)

  This paper from the University of Delaware presents a method for automatically converting Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) into tactile representations for blind users using a Braille embosser. The key innovation exploits the hierarchical tree structur…

  • tactile graphics
  • blindness
  • scalable vector graphics
  • braille embosser
  • image accessibility
  • edge detection
  • image processing
  • accessible graphics
  • web accessibility

• 3D Sound Interactive Environments for Problem Solving

  Jaime Sánchez, Mauricio Sáenz (2005) — Proceedings of the 7th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (Assets '05)

  This paper from the University of Chile presents AudioChile, a 3D sound virtual environment designed to help children with visual disabilities develop problem-solving skills through interactive exploration of Chilean geography and culture. AudioChile…

  • spatial audio
  • visual impairment
  • blindness
  • audio game
  • cognitive development
  • problem solving
  • education
  • game accessibility
  • non-visual interaction
  • children

• Gestural Text Entry on Multiple Devices

  Jacob O. Wobbrock, Brad A. Myers (2005) — Proceedings of the 7th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (Assets '05)

  This paper from Carnegie Mellon University presents adaptations of the EdgeWrite unistroke text entry method across multiple computer input devices: styluses, touchpads, displacement and isometric joysticks, four keys or buttons, and trackballs. Edge…

  • text entry
  • input methods
  • motor accessibility
  • gestural input
  • EdgeWrite
  • unistroke
  • alternative input
  • ubiquitous computing
  • assistive technology
  • input devices

• Solo: Interactive Task Guidance

  Edmund LoPresti, Ned Kirsch, Richard Simpson, Debra Schreckenghost (2005) — Proceedings of the 7th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (Assets '05)

  This paper describes Solo, a cognitive orthosis being developed by AT Sciences, the University of Michigan, the University of Pittsburgh, and TRACLabs to help cognitively impaired clients and their caregivers manage daily activities. Solo builds on t…

  • cognitive assistive technology
  • traumatic brain injury
  • cognitive disability
  • task guidance
  • scheduling
  • independent living
  • telerehabilitation
  • cognitive prosthetic

• Autism/Excel Study

  Mary Hart (2005) — Proceedings of the 7th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (Assets '05)

  This study investigates whether high school students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can learn Microsoft Excel at a level comparable to a regular education computing class, and whether the structured spreadsheet environment might support developm…

  • autism spectrum disorder
  • education
  • cognitive accessibility
  • adapted curriculum
  • executive function
  • generative thinking
  • inclusive education
  • digital literacy
  • learning disabilities

• Interactive Virtual Client for Teaching Occupational Therapy Evaluative Processes

  Sharon Stansfield, Tom Butkiewicz, Evan Suma, Marilyn Kane (2005) — Proceedings of the 7th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (Assets '05)

  This paper from Ithaca College describes a computer-based educational tool for occupational therapy (OT) students learning client evaluation techniques. The system uses a dialogue-based interface where students interact with a virtual client — a 3D c…

  • occupational therapy
  • virtual patient
  • educational technology
  • simulation
  • serious games
  • stroke recovery
  • clinical tools
  • rehabilitation

• An Adaptive Technologies Course in a CS Curriculum

  Blaise W. Liffick (2005) — Proceedings of the 7th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (Assets '05)

  This poster paper from Millersville University describes part two of an NSF-funded project to integrate assistive technology (AT) into an undergraduate computer science curriculum through an HCI approach. The author argues that computer professionals…

  • accessibility education
  • computer science curriculum
  • assistive technology
  • human-computer interaction
  • professional development
  • adaptive technology
  • AAC
  • universal design