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    Chairable Computing

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    Carrington_umbc_0434D_11729.pdf (25.40Mb)
    Permanent Link
    http://hdl.handle.net/11603/15595
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    • UMBC Theses and Dissertations
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    Author/Creator
    Carrington, Patrick Alexander
    Date
    2017-01-01
    Type of Work
    Text
    dissertation
    Department
    Information Systems
    Program
    Human Centered Computing
    Rights
    This item may be protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. It is made available by UMBC for non-commercial research and education. For permission to publish or reproduce, please see http://aok.lib.umbc.edu/specoll/repro.php or contact Special Collections at speccoll(at)umbc.edu
    Access limited to the UMBC community. Item may possibly be obtained via Interlibrary Loan through a local library, pending author/copyright holder's permission.
    Subjects
    accessibility
    design
    motor impairment
    wearable technology
    wheelchairs
    Abstract
    Wheelchairs provide a means to independent mobility for people with motor impairments that impact their legs. For people who also experience upper-body mobility impairments, interacting with computing devices can be challenging due to the nature of hand-held devices and physical interaction requirements. Using a wheelchair can present additional challenges due to the frame obstructing movement or limiting the users' ability to reach objects in their periphery. Assistive technologies (AT) may be used to overcome physical challenges presented by both devices and the wheelchair. However, complex individual differences can make designing AT uniquely challenging as solutions are often designed for one individual and may not generalize. In addition, designing AT for wheelchair users requires a constant consideration of the users' needs, social factors, technological constraints, and the context in which the technology will be used. Many current Assistive technology solutions involving wheelchairs or wheelchair users take on a function-specific approach which ignores much of the social and sometimes contextual factors. This dissertation contributes to the inclusive design of technology through an ability-based approach by developing solutions that expand the perception and expressive capabilities of technology for wheelchair users. This work seeks to improve technology solutions for people with MI who use wheelchairs by leveraging the wheelchair?s existing features and benefits. Prior research on assistive technologies for wheelchair users does not fully address real world challenges or the mobile experience of using a wheelchair and computing devices. This dissertation introduces the research area of Chairable Computing, supported by an understanding of wheelchair users needs. Findings from the design of a wheelchair-based gesture-input device, as well as an exploration of activity monitoring for wheelchair athletes, are presented. Our work contributes to the development of appropriate solutions that integrate with existing assistive technologies and wheelchair users? lifestyles.


    Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery
    University of Maryland, Baltimore County
    1000 Hilltop Circle
    Baltimore, MD 21250
    www.umbc.edu/scholarworks

    Contact information:
    Email: scholarworks-group@umbc.edu
    Phone: 410-455-3544


    If you wish to submit a copyright complaint or withdrawal request, please email mdsoar-help@umd.edu.

     

     

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    Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery
    University of Maryland, Baltimore County
    1000 Hilltop Circle
    Baltimore, MD 21250
    www.umbc.edu/scholarworks

    Contact information:
    Email: scholarworks-group@umbc.edu
    Phone: 410-455-3544


    If you wish to submit a copyright complaint or withdrawal request, please email mdsoar-help@umd.edu.