Literature Reviews

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

• System-class Accessibility: The Architectural Support for Making a Whole System Usable by People with Disabilities

  Chris Fleizach, Jeffrey P. Bigham (2024) — ACM Queue

  This article introduces the concept of "system-class accessibility" — the architectural support built into an operating system to make the entire platform usable by people with disabilities. Written by Chris Fleizach (who led the development of Voice…

  • accessibility API
  • screen readers
  • VoiceOver
  • iOS accessibility
  • operating systems
  • platform accessibility
  • gesture interaction
  • system architecture
  • assistive technology
  • mobile accessibility

• SpeechOmeter: Heads-up Monitoring to Improve Speech Clarity

  Mansoor Pervaiz, Rupal Patel (2014) — Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS '14)

  This demonstration paper presents SpeechOmeter, a Google Glass application that provides real-time visual biofeedback on vocal loudness to help individuals with neuromotor speech disorders (dysarthria) speak more clearly during daily conversation. Dy…

  • speech disorders
  • dysarthria
  • speech therapy
  • wearable technology
  • biofeedback
  • multiple sclerosis
  • Parkinson's disease
  • cerebral palsy
  • assistive technology
  • Google Glass

• Move&Flick: Design and Evaluation of a Single-Finger and Eyes-Free Kana-Character Entry Method on Touch Screens

  Ryosuke Aoki, Ryo Hashimoto, Akihiro Miyata, Shunichi Seko, Masahiro Watanabe, Masayuki Ihara (2014) — Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS '14)

  This demonstration paper presents Move&Flick, a Japanese Kana-character text entry method designed for visually impaired users on touchscreen devices. Standard touchscreen text entry for visually impaired people is burdensome: users must explore the …

  • text entry
  • touchscreen accessibility
  • visual impairment
  • mobile accessibility
  • gesture interaction
  • Japanese accessibility
  • eyes-free interaction
  • input methods

• Tactile Graphics with a Voice Demonstration

  Catherine M. Baker, Lauren R. Milne, Jeffrey Scofield, Cynthia L. Bennett, Richard E. Ladner (2014) — Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS '14)

  This demonstration paper presents Tactile Graphics with a Voice (TGV), a system that makes labels on tactile graphics accessible to blind and low vision users who do not read Braille. STEM textbooks are filled with images — from parabolas to cell dia…

  • tactile graphics
  • blindness and low vision
  • QR codes
  • STEM accessibility
  • braille
  • non-visual feedback
  • education
  • assistive technology

• Real-Time Caption Challenge: C-Print

  Michael S. Stinson, Pamela Francis, Lisa B. Elliot, Donna Easton (2014) — Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS '14)

  This demonstration paper presents C-Print, a typing-based real-time captioning system developed over 25 years by researchers at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at Rochester Institute of Technology. C-Print provides communication …

  • deaf and hard of hearing
  • real-time captioning
  • communication access
  • transcription
  • mobile accessibility
  • education

• Coming to Grips: 3D Printing for Accessibility

  Erin Buehler, Amy Hurst, Megan Hofmann (2014) — Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS '14)

  This demonstration paper presents a case study of using consumer-grade 3D printing to create custom assistive devices for a student with limited hand motor ability at a special education facility. The work grew out of a six-month evaluation of making…

  • assistive technology
  • 3D printing
  • digital fabrication
  • motor impairment
  • special education
  • DIY assistive technology
  • rapid prototyping
  • children

• M.I.D.A.S. Touch: Magnetic Interactive Device for Alternative Sight through Touch

  Taylan K. Sen, Morgan W. Sinko, Alex T. Wilson, Mohammed E. Hoque (2014) — Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS 2014)

  This demonstration paper presents MIDAS Touch (Magnetic Interactive Device for Alternative Sight through Touch), a novel free-space haptic interface that allows visually impaired users to feel and create digital drawings without physical contact with…

  • visual impairment
  • haptic feedback
  • free-space haptics
  • drawing
  • magnetic interface
  • sensory substitution
  • assistive technology
  • Leap Motion

• Evaluation of Non-Visual Panning Operations Using Touch-Screen Devices

  HariPrasath Palani, Nicholas A. Giudice (2014) — Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS 2014)

  This demonstration paper addresses a critical challenge in non-visual access to graphical information on touchscreens: how to pan across large-format graphics (maps, floor plans) without losing spatial orientation. The authors built on their Vibro-Au…

  • visual impairment
  • tactile graphics
  • haptic feedback
  • touchscreen accessibility
  • non-visual maps
  • vibro-audio interface
  • panning
  • sensory substitution

• ABC and 3D: Opportunities and Obstacles to 3D Printing in Special Education Environments

  Erin Buehler, Shaun K. Kane, Amy Hurst (2014) — Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS 2014)

  This paper presents a formative study exploring how 3D printing can support special education across three diverse sites: a school for students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities (Site A), a school for blind and visually impaired students…

  • 3D printing
  • special education
  • assistive technology
  • digital fabrication
  • STEM education
  • cognitive impairment
  • visual impairment
  • occupational therapy
  • universal design for learning
  • DIY assistive technology

• Path-Guided Indoor Navigation for the Visually Impaired Using Minimal Building Retrofitting

  Dhruv Jain (2014) — Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS 2014)

  This paper presents the design and evaluation of a cellphone-based indoor navigation system that provides step-by-step path guidance for visually impaired users in unfamiliar buildings with minimal infrastructure requirements. The system combines inf…

  • indoor navigation
  • visual impairment
  • wayfinding
  • assistive technology
  • infrared
  • dead reckoning
  • mobile accessibility
  • developing countries