Literature Reviews

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

• Deaf Individuals' Views on Speaking Behaviors of Hearing Peers when Using an Automatic Captioning App

  Matthew Seita, Matt Huenerfauth (2020) — Extended Abstracts of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA '20)

  This CHI 2020 Late-Breaking Work paper investigates what behaviors hearing speakers should ideally exhibit when holding in-person conversations with Deaf or deaf people using an Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) captioning app on a mobile device. Th…

  • automatic speech recognition
  • deaf and hard of hearing
  • captioning
  • captions
  • speaking behavior
  • mobile accessibility
  • communication
  • user research
  • accessibility research

• The Impact of User Research on Product Design Case Study: Accessibility Ecosystem for Windows Vista

  Annuska Perkins, Tira Cohene (2006) — Proceedings of the 8th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (Assets '06)

  This paper describes how user research conducted by Microsoft's Windows Accessible Technology Group shaped the accessibility features in Windows Vista. The research encompassed a wide range of users across major disability types (vision, dexterity, h…

  • accessibility
  • user research
  • operating system
  • universal design
  • usability
  • aging
  • speech recognition
  • assistive technology
  • discoverability

• Using Think Aloud Protocol with Blind Users: A Case for Inclusive Usability Evaluation Methods

  Sambhavi Chandrashekar, Tony Stockman, Deborah Fels, Rachel Benedyk (2006) — Proceedings of the 8th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (Assets '06)

  This paper examines whether the Think Aloud Protocol (TAP), one of the most widely used usability evaluation methods, can be effectively applied when testing with blind screen reader users. The study involved six vision-impaired students evaluating a…

  • usability testing
  • think aloud protocol
  • blind users
  • screen readers
  • research methods
  • inclusive design
  • cognitive load
  • user research

• Mouse Movements of Motion-Impaired Users: A Submovement Analysis

  Faustina Hwang, Simeon Keates, Patrick Langdon, John Clarkson (2003) — Proceedings of the 6th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (Assets '04)

  This paper presents a detailed submovement analysis of mouse cursor trajectories from six motion-impaired users (four with cerebral palsy of varying types — athetoid, athetoid with spasm, and general — and one with Friedrich's ataxia and tremor) and …

  • motor disability
  • cursor control
  • pointing device
  • target acquisition
  • cerebral palsy
  • ataxia
  • user research
  • interaction design
  • motor control
  • human factors

• Cursor Measures for Motion-Impaired Computer Users

  Simeon Keates, Faustina Hwang, Patrick Langdon, P. John Clarkson, Peter Robinson (2002) — Proceedings of the Fifth International ACM Conference on Assistive Technologies (Assets '02)

  This paper systematically analyses cursor movement patterns of motion-impaired computer users to understand the specific difficulties they face with point-and-click interactions in graphical user interfaces. The authors argue that existing cursor mea…

  • motor disability
  • pointing device
  • cursor control
  • target acquisition
  • force feedback
  • cerebral palsy
  • ataxia
  • haptic technology
  • user research
  • interaction design
  • Fitts's Law

• A Study of Blind Drawing Practice: Creating Graphical Information Without the Visual Channel

  Hesham M. Kamel, James A. Landay (2000) — Proceedings of the Fourth International ACM Conference on Assistive Technologies (Assets '00)

  This paper from UC Berkeley investigates how blind users create drawings and proposes a grid-based model for non-visual drawing tools. The researchers began by observing that existing drawing tools for blind users fail because they lack adequate cont…

  • tactile graphics
  • blindness and low vision
  • non-visual interaction
  • drawing tools
  • accessible graphics
  • user research
  • graphical accessibility

• Neck Range of Motion and Use of Computer Head Controls

  Edmund LoPresti, David M. Brienza, Jennifer Angelo, Lars Gilbertson, Jonathan Sakai (2000) — Proceedings of the Fourth International ACM Conference on Assistive Technologies (Assets '00)

  This study from the University of Pittsburgh investigates the relationship between neck range of motion and performance when using computer head controls — devices that translate head movements into cursor movements on screen. The research involved 1…

  • alternative input
  • head tracking
  • motor disability
  • multiple sclerosis
  • spinal cord injury
  • range of motion
  • target acquisition
  • cursor movement
  • assistive technology
  • user research

• A Comparison of Voice Controlled and Mouse Controlled Web Browsing

  Kevin Christian, Bill Kules, Ben Shneiderman, Adel Youssef (2000) — Proceedings of the Fourth International ACM Conference on Assistive Technologies (Assets '00)

  This within-subjects study from the University of Maryland compared voice-controlled web browsing with traditional mouse-based browsing using 18 participants. The researchers used Conversa, a commercial voice browser from Conversational Computing tha…

  • voice browser
  • speech recognition
  • web navigation
  • voice control
  • hypertext
  • user research
  • usability testing
  • web accessibility
  • input methods

• Low Vision: The Role of Visual Acuity in the Efficiency of Cursor Movement

  Julie A. Jacko, Armando B. Barreto, Gottlieb J. Marmet, Josey Y. M. Chu, Holly S. Bautsch, Ingrid U. Scott, Robert H. Rosa (2000) — Proceedings of the Fourth International ACM Conference on Assistive Technologies (Assets '00)

  This study investigates how visual acuity affects cursor movement efficiency for users with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of visual impairment for Americans aged 75 and older. The researchers note that while existing acces…

  • low vision
  • age-related macular degeneration
  • cursor movement
  • graphical user interface
  • icon size
  • visual acuity
  • user research
  • target acquisition
  • GUI accessibility

• A Study of Input Device Manipulation Difficulties

  Shari Trewin (1996) — Proceedings of the Second Annual ACM Conference on Assistive Technologies (Assets '96)

  This paper from the University of Edinburgh describes a pilot study designed to gather detailed, quantified data about physical input errors made by people with motor disabilities when using standard keyboards and mice. The author identifies a signif…

  • motor disability
  • keyboard accessibility
  • mouse accessibility
  • input errors
  • performance errors
  • input logging
  • assistive technology
  • user research
  • accessibility testing
  • personalization