Literature Reviews

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

• Empowering Individuals with Do-It-Yourself Assistive Technology

  Amy Hurst, Jasmine Tobias (2011) — The Proceedings of the 13th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS)

  This paper investigates the potential of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) approaches to address the persistent problem of assistive technology abandonment, where 35% or more of purchased AT devices end up unused. The authors argue that empowering non-engineers t…

  • assistive technology
  • DIY assistive technology
  • maker culture
  • 3D printing
  • rapid prototyping
  • assistive technology abandonment
  • participatory design
  • online communities
  • disability rights

• 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

• Tactile Aids for Visually Impaired Graphical Design Education

  Samantha McDonald, Joshua Dutterer, Ali Abdolrahmani, Shaun K. Kane, Amy Hurst (2014) — Proceedings of the 16th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility (ASSETS 2014)

  This demonstration paper describes the creation of over 10 tactile aids using laser cutting and 3D printing to make graphic design theory accessible to a visually impaired student enrolled in an introduction to human-centered computing class at UMBC.…

  • visual impairment
  • tactile graphics
  • 3D printing
  • rapid prototyping
  • education
  • graphic design
  • web design
  • inclusive education

• Making Connections: Modular 3D Printing for Designing Assistive Attachments to Prosthetic Devices

  Megan Kelly Hofmann (2015) — ASSETS '15: Proceedings of the 17th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers & Accessibility

  This doctoral consortium abstract presents a modular design methodology for creating affordable, customized 3D-printed assistive attachments for prosthetic limbs. The approach addresses a key limitation of current assistive technology: highly customi…

  • 3D printing
  • prosthetics
  • assistive technology
  • rapid prototyping
  • modular design
  • upper limb amputation
  • participatory design

• Making "Making" Accessible

  Amy Hurst (2018) — Proceedings of the 15th International Web for All Conference (W4A)

  This keynote abstract presents Amy Hurst's research program on making DIY (Do-It-Yourself) assistive technology creation accessible to end-users, clinicians, and caregivers. The talk addresses a fundamental problem: a large percentage of assistive te…

  • DIY assistive technology
  • 3D printing
  • digital fabrication
  • assistive technology abandonment
  • maker movement
  • rapid prototyping
  • physical therapy
  • personalization
  • CNC
  • laser cutting
  • microcontrollers
  • tactile graphics

• Co-designing new keyboard and mouse solutions with people living with motor impairments

  Rodolfo Cossovich, Steve Hodges, Jin Kang, Audrey Girouard (2023) — Proceedings of the 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2023)

  This short paper describes a co-design process for developing accessible alternatives to traditional keyboard and mouse interfaces, conducted in collaboration with people living with motor impairments. The study involved three phases: an initial surv…

  • co-design
  • motor impairment
  • input devices
  • rapid prototyping
  • keyboard
  • mouse
  • human interface devices
  • participatory design