Analyzing user-generated youtube videos to understand touchscreen use by people with motor impairments

Abstract

Most work on the usability of touchscreen interaction for people with motor impairments has focused on lab studies with relatively few participants and small cross-sections of the population. To develop a richer characterization of use, we turned to a previously untapped source of data: YouTube videos. We collected and analyzed 187 noncommercial videos uploaded to YouTube that depicted a person with a physical disability interacting with a mainstream mobile touchscreen device. We coded the videos along a range of dimensions to characterize the interaction, the challenges encountered, and the adaptations being adopted in daily use. To complement the video data, we also invited the video uploaders to complete a survey on their ongoing use of touchscreen technology. Our findings show that, while many people with motor impairments find these devices empowering, accessibility issues still exist. In addition to providing implications for more accessible touchscreen design, we reflect on the application of usergenerated content to study user interface design.

A study of the challenges related to DIY assistive technology in the context of children with disabilities

“…A number of cases where the parents, friends and caregivers of people with disabilities have made useful and functional AT have been reported. These include: a head mounted pointer for painting, a drinks holder for a wheelchair [16] and physical guides and screen protectors for touchscreens [1]. Previous research has argued that the development of such DIY-AT could, in certain situations, mitigate many of the problems that exist with the current design and provision of AT for people with disabilities.…”

The challenges and potential of end-user gesture customization

“…Self-defined gestures have many potential advantages, including improved memorability over predefined gestures [33]. Gesture customization may also improve touchscreen accessibility for people with physical disabilities, for whom there is a need to replace standard multitouch gestures (e.g., two-finger pinch-to-zoom) with alternatives that are accessible for each user [2]. Finally, Ouyang and Li [34] have proposed personal gestural shortcuts as a means of more efficiently accessing information on a smartphone.…”

#accessibilityFail

“…YouTube videos uploaded by users with motor impairments using touchscreens have given researchers valuable insights into technology design [1]. By examining accessibility-related social media posts, we can learn about everyday accessibility problems.…”