Wheelchair users participating in a research study at Axle Lab
There is no question or doubt about the potential benefits technology can bring to the table, and the development of better and more powerful tools is unlikely to slow anytime soon. The million dollar question remains—who has access to these tools, and how can we widen that horizon of users to include humans of all states and capacities?
A complex matrix of factors—physical, cognitive, social, and economic—shapes each person's interaction with and experience of technology. By drawing on our understanding of computer science, psychology, and design principles, HCI researchers can create more intuitive and accessible digital products. To dive deeper into accessibility, here are some CMU professors who are all exploring and expanding this horizon.
Professor Patrick Carrington is the lab director of Axle Lab at CMU where researchers work on creating technical solutions to improve the quality of life for people with various impairments. Patrick’s research focuses on building and leveraging technology to understand and empower human capacity. His work includes projects such as:
Conceptual overview of how Data Navigator works
Professor Dominik Moritz co-leads the Data Interaction Group (DIG) where he develops accessible data-visualization tools and systems that contributes to an inclusive experience for the data-viz community. Some examples of recent projects include:
Professor Christina Harrington’s research centers on how technology can promote health and racial equity for marginalized communities through participatory design and co-creation methods. In her work, Christina often works with older adults and individuals with disabilities to address the concept of fair and equitable technology. Exploring the health-seeking experiences of Black older adults in relation to technology such as chatbots or voice assistants is currently one of many themes in Christina’s work.
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If any of these topics interest you, check out the HCII faculty page and filter by “accessibility” to learn more about the other professors that work with this topic!
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