Improving Access to Online Media through Haptic Feedback

This project aims to improve accessibility for D/deaf and/or Disabled individuals in online media experiences by: (1) designing and developing new ways to send vibration and haptic information online, and (2) designing ways to seamlessly incorporate user preferences and accessibility features, such as caption sizes, vibration feedback intensity, and audio customization options, into online media experiences. Throughout the process, I will be actively engaging with communities of interest to involve them in the co-design and development of these tools. The expected outcomes include novel works of vibration/haptic art as well as designs for ways to share these works in real-time online. I will be working with members of the Musical Representation team at Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique (IRCAM). By developing these tools and strategies, this research aims to enhance online media accessibility and depth of engagement for D/deaf and/or Disabled people.