Background Synesthesia is a condition in which the stimulation of one sense elicits an additional experience, often in a different (i.e., unstimulated) sense. Although only a small proportion of the population is synesthetic, there is growing evidence to suggest that neurocognitively-normal individuals also experience some form of synesthetic association between the stimuli presented to different sensory modalities (i.e., between auditory pitch and visual size, where lower frequency tones are associated with large objects and higher frequency tones with small objects). While previous research has highlighted crossmodal interactions between synesthetically corresponding dimensions, the possible role of synesthetic associations in multisensory integration has not been considered previously. Methodology Here we investigate the effects of synesthetic associations by presenting pairs of asynchronous or spatially discrepant visual and auditory stimuli that were either synesthetically matched or mismatched. In a series of three psychophysical experiments, participants reported the relative temporal order of presentation or the relative spatial locations of the two stimuli. Principal Findings The reliability of non-synesthetic participants' estimates of both audiovisual temporal asynchrony and spatial discrepancy were lower for pairs of synesthetically matched as compared to synesthetically mismatched audiovisual stimuli. Conclusions Recent studies of multisensory integration have shown that the reduced reliability of perceptual estimates regarding intersensory conflicts constitutes the marker of a stronger coupling between the unisensory signals. Our results therefore indicate a stronger coupling of synesthetically matched vs. mismatched stimuli and provide the first psychophysical evidence that synesthetic congruency can promote multisensory integration. Synesthetic crossmodal correspondences therefore appear to play a crucial (if unacknowledged) role in the multisensory integration of auditory and visual information.

"When Birds of a Feather Flock Together": Synesthetic Correspondences Modulate Audiovisual Integration in Non-Synesthetes

Ubiquitous access is an increasingly common vision of computing, wherein users can interact with any computing device or service from anywhere, at any time. In the era of personal computing, users with visual impairments required special-purpose, assistive technologies, such as screen readers, to interact with computers. This paper investigates whether technologies like screen readers have kept pace with, or have created a barrier to, the trend toward ubiquitous access, with a specific focus on desktop computing as this is still the primary way computers are used in education and employment. Towards that, the paper presents a user study with 21 visually-impaired participants, specifically involving the switching of screen readers within and across different computing platforms, and the use of screen readers in remote access scenarios. Among the findings, the study shows that, even for remote desktop access - an early forerunner of true ubiquitous access - screen readers are too limited, if not unusable. The study also identifies several accessibility needs, such as uniformity of navigational experience across devices, and recommends potential solutions. In summary, assistive technologies have not made the jump into the era of ubiquitous access, and multiple, inconsistent screen readers create new practical problems for users with visual impairments.

/pdf/ubiquitous-accessibility-for-people-with-visual-impairments-2pqtnjyqqt.pdf

Ubiquitous Accessibility for People with Visual Impairments: Are We There Yet?

This research paper points out that we as Designers have failed to come up with a model of UX that would proximate a satisfying user experience for users with disabilities. It underscores the gaps in designer knowledge about disabled bodies. The research paper also draws the attention of the designer community to the limited understanding we presently possess of the disabled people's notions of, and expectations from, satisfying user experiences. It proposes a multi-step process for shifting the focus of design activity from a "medical model of accessibility design" that retrofits normative designs to the needs of users with disabilities to developing an "accessible user experience model (AUX)" of design that counts these users as design collaborators, possessors of special knowledge about disabled bodies, and untapped sources of innovative designs that might offer additional design features for all users.

/pdf/breaking-the-exclusionary-boundary-between-user-experience-3q50u39kka.pdf

Breaking the exclusionary boundary between user experience and access: steps toward making UX inclusive of users with disabilities

Higher and further education providers are facing the challenge of supporting the interaction needs of an increasing number of students who feature accessibility preferences to use both elearning contents and services. In the next future, we can expect that, within adaptive elearning systems, both automatic and manual procedures will interoperate to elicit users' interaction needs for ensuring accessibility. In this paper, we report findings from the user experience with the self-assessment of interaction needs, as part of a content personalization system, which tackles possible mismatches in the interaction between the user and the learning objects. All stakeholders involved in providing this service along with intended user groups (students with visual, auditory or mobility impairments, and without impairments) participated in the evaluation with over 100 users described in this paper. From the evaluation, results follow that our approach allows students to self-assess and report adequately their interaction preferences. Furthermore, the paper describes findings of interest and open issues about how massive online courses may address the accessibility needs of an increasing number of elearning users.

Setting accessibility preferences about learning objects within adaptive elearning systems: User experience and organizational aspects

Mobile web has created several opportunities for the development of assistive technologies that can support disabled people in the performance of daily life activities. Mobile applications can be developed using participatory design methods which result in customized assistive solutions. In this paper, we describe the development of a mobile application to support M, a man with cerebral palsy in his communication and professional activities, highlighting the use of a participatory design method. We discuss the changes that mobile web can bring to disabled people's lives, in the light of this experience. We conclude that mobile web applications can be configured as interesting solutions for assistive technologies.

A customized mobile application for a cerebral palsy user

The continuing proliferation of mobile devices, content and applications presents barriers to the mainstreaming of Assistive Technologies (ATs), despite their potential utility for users in demanding situations or with minor-to-moderate impairments. We have previously proposed that user profiling based on human rather than machine-oriented capabilities, coupled with a shift from conspicuous ATs to considering a broader range of adaptations presents opportunities for platform and AT vendors to support many more users. However there has not been a standard, consistent and, most importantly, straightforward way to deliver these benefits. We propose that this delivery gap can be bridged by using the semantic web and related technologies, so the potential benefits of the capability-based approach may be realised.

/pdf/towards-ubiquitous-accessibility-capability-based-profiles-38hnzj4i1f.pdf

Towards ubiquitous accessibility: capability-based profiles and adaptations, delivered via the semantic web

Designers often strive to meet the requirements of the "average user." Unfortunately even if they manage to achieve their goal, this mythical user does not exist resulting in a gap between each actual user and the technology they receive. As technology cannot be designed for every individual it needs to be adaptable for as many people as possible.A framework has been developed to identify similarities between user-groups and the assistive technology they use, with the aim of catering for different users with minimum alteration to the technology. The framework takes a holistic view and can be used to describe either a person or a technology, initially focusing on six sections (Cognition, Senses, Output, General Health, Mobility and Context) identified using the model of a human body. The sections are then compared to identify patterns and areas of importance.Using each of the sections of the framework separately provides a complete picture of a technology or user allowing better profilling, improving accessibility. Bringing the framework together by comparing the sections against each other allows the design team to better understand the dynamics of the technology or user and the potential for communication using different media and mechanisms.

A framework for adaptive communication design

The accessibility solution that is appropriate for an individual in a given situation may be provided through variations in the choice of device, assistive technologies (AT) and adaptations used. Profiles can be created to represent users and technology, however, owing to trade-offs between profile specificity and transportability, there is currently no universally accepted method for creating profiles for holistic interaction.

/pdf/using-a-common-semantic-structure-to-provide-comparable-13dur7fjb8.pdf

Matthew J. Bell

Papers

Towards ubiquitous accessibility: capability-based profiles and adaptations, delivered via the semantic web

A framework for adaptive communication design

Using a Common Semantic Structure to Provide Comparable Contextual Models of Users and Technology