Methodological Standards in Accessibility Research on Motor Impairments: A Survey

Abstract

The design and evaluation of accessibility technology is a core component of the computer science landscape, aiming to ensure that digital innovations are accessible to all. One of the most prominent and long-lasting areas of accessibility research focuses on motor impairments—deficiencies that affect the ability to move, manipulate objects, and interact with the physical world. In this survey article, we present an extensive overview of the past two decades of research into accessibility for people with motor impairments. Following a structured selection process, we analyzed the study details as reported in 177 relevant papers. Based on this analysis, we critically assess user representation, measurement instruments, and existing barriers that exist in accessibility research. Finally, we discuss future directions for accessibility research within the computer science domain.

Mapping 20 years of accessibility research in HCI: A co-word analysis

“…For example, Putnam et al (2012) argue that a better understanding of how academic professionals consider and receive accessibility has a significant influence on educational programmes in HCI and UX. It can also contribute to the preparation of future designers and researchers working on accessibility (Putnam et al, 2012;Sarsenbayeva et al, 2022). In other words, teaching and studying accessibility can support identifying the most impactful problems in accessibility, enhance and foster critical thinking about the research, and create new possibilities and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration (Mankoff et al, 2010;van Berkel et al, 2023).…”

MotorEase: Automated Detection of Motor Impairment Accessibility Issues in Mobile App UIs

“…Furthermore, the need for accessible software now transcends a moral pursuit, as government agencies worldwide have begun to advocate for more accessible software by introducing legislation which, "prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the activities of public accommodations, " [11]. Beyond providing equitable access to software for users with a variety of backgrounds, accessibility features often improve user experience more broadly, as many accessibility guidelines are designed following the general principals of universal design [8], in that the adherence to such guidelines is more likely to lead to an improved user experience for all users [83].…”

“…One understudied demographic, and the focus of this paper, is that of motor-impaired users. The current landscape of research on developer tools that aim to support software accessibility for motor-impaired users is somewhat limited, due in part to the difficulty in supporting a wide spectrum of motor-impairment conditions (i.e., ranging from hand tremors, to more limited motor abilities that necessitate the use of assistive devices such as switch controls) and need to consider external hardware [83] . Generally, developers currently lack tools for identifying, understanding, and implementing accessible features for motor-impaired users [23].…”

Multi-Sensor, Third-Party API, and Cross-Device Integrated Toolkit for Enriching Participatory Research

“…6.64 billion people use smartphones worldwide, which is more than 83% of the world's population, according to BankMyCell [1]. A digital camera is a versatile tool that captures meaningful moments in a photograph to explore various context, create values, and identify problematic challenges such as accessibility issues [2]. Many qualitative research methods, such as "photovoice" [3][4] use photos taken by participants or communities to observe and identify theme-oriented problems and solutions.…”