Exploring the Experiences of Streamers with Visual Impairments

Abstract

Live streaming refers to the broadcast of real-time videos, allowing people to have synchronous interactions. While researchers' interest in live streaming has increased recently, the accessibility of live streaming for people with visual impairments is still under-examined. Further studies are necessary to gain a better understanding of how streamers with visual impairments (SVI) engage in various activities on live streaming platforms. Based on semi-structured interviews with 14 participants, we identified SVI's motivations for live streaming, their unique interactions with videos and people on live streaming platforms, and the challenges they face during live streaming. Our analysis of the identified themes revealed the absence of an SVI-centered community and accessibility issues for SVI while learning to live stream, use tools, and interact with people. Based on the results of this study, we present design opportunities to better support SVI on live streaming platforms.

"It Feels Like Being Locked in A Cage": Understanding Blind or Low Vision Streamers' Perceptions of Content Curation Algorithms

“…While prior work [39] described BLV streamer's motivations (e.g., achieving personal goals, delivering messages, overcoming limitations of recorded videos, getting inspired by other streamers) and accessibility challenges (e.g., multitasking, screen reader related issues), our findings extended this line of research [39] by uncovering factors contributing to disadvantages under algorithmic evaluation, and the perceived challenges with algorithmic suppression and mitigation strategies. Based on the findings, we present the following design considerations for building a more accessible and inclusive live-streaming ecosystem.…”

“…Moreover, some prior work focused on economic and employment opportunities of live-streaming for disabled people [37,38,58]. Recently, Jun et al [39] explored the motivations, practices, and challenges of streamers with visual impairments on Youtube and Twitch. Although this work uncovered streamers' motivations (e.g., achieving personal goals, delivering messages, overcoming limitations of recorded videos, getting inspired by other streamers) and challenges (e.g., multitasking, screen reader related issues), it did not investigate BLV streamers' experiences with content-curation algorithms adopted by the platforms.…”

The Design Space of Livestreaming Equipment Setups: Tradeoffs, Challenges, and Opportunities

“…2) Some studies zoom in on the experiences of specifc demographics of streamers, such as lifestyle streamers in China [41], those who use virtual 2D or 3D avatars instead of their faces (i.e., VTubers) [40], and streamers with visual impairments [29]. These mentioned aspects of streaming equipment within the context of streamers' overall experiences.…”

“…These mentioned aspects of streaming equipment within the context of streamers' overall experiences. For instance, Jun et al reported on equipment challenges faced by streamers with visual impairments [29], such as interfacing between streaming software, screen readers, and text-to-speech apps, along with accessibility concerns with certain streaming software. Lu et al 's study of VTubers found that widely-available software for controlling 2D avatar animations limited their expressiveness and that more professional streamers could aford full-body motion capture equipment that made their 3D avatars more expressive [40].…”

Sparkling Silence: Practices and Challenges of Livestreaming Among Deaf or Hard of Hearing Streamers

“…Although most studies are about the livestreaming experiences of able-bodied people, a limited number of studies have reported the livestreaming experiences of people who are blind or have low vision [23,47]. In one study about the setting of video calls for work where DHH people are included, the importance of the image quality is highlighted [55].…”