Making "making" accessible
Abstract
Assistive technologies empower individuals to accomplish tasks they might not be able to do otherwise. Unfortunately, a large percentage of assistive devices that are purchased (35% or more) end up unused or abandoned [8], leaving many people with assistive technology that is inappropriate for their needs. This paper describes our ongoing work to help more people gain access to the assistive technology they need by empowering non-engineers to "Do-It-Yourself" (DIY), and thus create, modify, or build their own assistive technology. We discuss how a new generation of rapid prototyping tools and online communities can empower more individuals, and we describe two technologies we have developed to enable novices to prototype and create physical objects.
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Varying tonal frequency is more effective at representing trends than varying amplitude.
“Varying tonal frequency is more efective at representing trends than varying amplitude [26,42].”
From VoxLens: Making Online Data Visualizations Accessible with an Interactive JavaScript Plug-In (2022) · cites this paper as [42]
Cites
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“Increasing the number of self-designers might be accomplished in the future by increasing awareness of making assistive technology or by providing more accessible software and hardware tools for the creation of these designs [8].”
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“Clearly, some mix of form and function together make such technologies “cool.””
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“The Easy Make Oven is a tabletop interface that is designed to allow amateurs to quickly and easily combine physical objects and sketches into models for DIY-AT, which can then be fabricated using rapid-prototyping technologies [15].”
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Hofmann, M. K., Williams, K., Kaplan, T., Valencia, S., Hann, G., Hudson, S. E., Mankoff, J. C., & Carrington, P. (2019) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3290605.3300544 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
“Many democratizing force that supports user agency [41, 60], but limited access to technical and educational resources [8, 10, 12, 36] prevents some AT-users from doing-it-themselves [34, 43].”
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Sharif, A., Wang, O. H., Muongchan, A. T., Reinecke, K., & Wobbrock, J. O. (2022) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3491102.3517431 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
“[43] worked with six individuals with low or limited vision and developed VizTouch, software that leverages afordable 3-D printing to rapidly and automatically generate tangible visualizations.”
BackgroundMethodChen, X. '., Kim, J., Mankoff, J. C., Grossman, T., Coros, S., & Hudson, S. E. (2016) · ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (UIST) · doi:10.1145/2984511.2984512 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
“However, designing or re-purposing adaptations is hard with general-purpose 3D modeling software, as it requires a certain level of expertise from users [7].”
BackgroundUnderstanding Screen-Reader Users’ Experiences with Online Data Visualizations
Sharif, A., Chintalapati, S. S., Wobbrock, J. O., & Reinecke, K. (2021) · Proceedings of the 23rd International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility · doi:10.1145/3441852.3471202 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
“Several prior research efforts have attempted to improve upon the accessibility of data visualizations by using a variety of techniques, including automatically generating alternative text for visualization elements [32, 38], sonification [17, 31, 47], haptic graphs [42, 46], and 3-D printing [13, 26, 39].”
BackgroundDesign of a 3D-printed, open-source wrist-driven orthosis for individuals with spinal cord injury
Portnova-Fahreeva, A. A., Mukherjee, G., Peters, K. M., Yamane, A., & Steele, K. M. (2018) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0193106 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Siu, A. F., Kim, S., Miele, J. A., & Follmer, S. (2019) · International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS) · doi:10.1145/3308561.3353782 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
“Yet accessibility remains a challenge and the BVI community, which may benefit immensely from such tools, remains marginalized [22, 53].”
BackgroundHofmann, M. K., Harris, J., Hudson, S. E., & Mankoff, J. C. (2016) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/2858036.2858340 · Cited by 77 · see citing works
“Examples include tactile graphics for people with visual impairments [4,16] and orthotics for people with motor impairments [6].”
BackgroundMcDonald, S., Comrie, N., Buehler, E., Carter, N., Dubin, B., Gordes, K. L., McCombe-Waller, S., & Hurst, A. K. (2016) · International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS) · doi:10.1145/2982142.2982162 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
“This enables users to address their specific needs and avoid limitations of standardized AT on the market [10].”
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Elavsky, F., Bennett, C., & Moritz, D. (2022) · Computer Graphics Forum · doi:10.1111/cgf.14522 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Gaver, W. W., Boucher, A., Vanis, M., Sheen, A., Brown, D., Ovalle, L., Matsuda, N., Abbas-Nazari, A., & Phillips, R. (2019) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3290605.3300532 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
“For instance, while making has been lauded as allowing disabled people to craft their own assistive technologies [17, 18], limits in making skills impedes the realization of this vision.”
Understanding Volunteer AT Fabricators
Parry-Hill, J. L., Shih, P. C., Mankoff, J. C., & Ashbrook, D. (2017) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3025453.3026045 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
“In addition to many of the examples of DIY-AT in the literature [7,16,18], DIY-AT as a form of volunteering has recently appeared: volunteer-based production of assistive devices on behalf of distant strangers.”
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Moraiti, A., Abeele, V. V., Vanroye, E., & Geurts, L. (2015) · International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction (TEI) · doi:10.1145/2677199.2680598 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
“By “making the making accessible”, perhaps these high abandonment rates may be mitigated [11].”
BackgroundInfluentialWeaving by Touch: A Case Analysis of Accessible Making
Das, M., Borgos-Rodriguez, K., & Piper, A. M. (2020) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3313831.3376477 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
“For example, increasing the accessibility of maker technologies is typically conceptualized as supporting the individual themselves through improved digital tools [14, 41, 42], neglecting the ways other people and one’s material workspace can shape interaction.”
BackgroundHerskovitz, J., Xu, A., Alharbi, R., & Guo, A. (2023) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3544548.3581249 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
“…created from a repurposed face shield [55]), to using advanced fabrication techniques like 3D printing (e.g., a 3D-printed right-angle spoon [54]), to devices that add technological hardware components (e.g., a prototype device for converting images to heat signals [33]), to novel software…”
BackgroundMethodTranscribing Across the Senses
Stangl, A. J., Hsu, C.-L., & YEH, T. P. (2015) · International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS) · doi:10.1145/2700648.2809854 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Tactile aids for visually impaired graphical design education
McDonald, S., Dutterer, J., Abdolrahmani, A., Kane, S. K., & Hurst, A. K. (2014) · International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS) · doi:10.1145/2661334.2661392 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
“Giving the user the ability to design and give input in their technology can improve the successfulness of the product [1].”
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“Following this work, Hurst and Kane set began to make digital fabrication tools more accessible, once again empowering people with disabilities [24].”
MethodRajapakse, R., Brereton, M. F., & Sitbon, L. (2019) · CoDesign · doi:10.1080/15710882.2019.1612442 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
“DSOs have extensive sector expertise and relations with their clients; maker communities could potentially provide skilled and willing volunteers who are able to embrace flexible and exploratory design prototyping approaches (Hartmann, Doorley, and Klemmer 2008; Hurst and Kane 2013).”
BackgroundShrinCage: 4D Printing Accessories that Self-Adapt
Sun, L., Yang, Y., Chen, Y., Li, J., Luo, D., Liu, H., Yao, L., Tao, Y., & Wang, G. (2021) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3411764.3445220 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
“Prior works focused on improving accuracy in measurement [20] and modeling [6], as well as broadening adaptable shape space in the assembly process [23], such as using soft material as a connection and splitting the model or adding clamps and screws.”
MethodDo-It-Yourself (DIY) Assistive Technology: A Communication Board Case Study
Hamidi, F., Baljko, M., Kunić, T., & Feraday, R. M. (2014) · Lecture notes in computer science · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-08599-9_44 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
“Hurst and Kane have previously identified a need to develop tools to make “making” more accessible [10].”
BackgroundDesigning for the "Universe of One"
Hornof, A. J., Whitman, H., Sutherland, M., Gerendasy, S., & McGrenere, J. (2017) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3025453.3025904 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Consumer-grade fabrication and its potential to revolutionize accessibility
Mankoff, J. C., Hofmann, M. K., Chen, X., Hudson, S. E., Hurst, A. K., & Kim, J. (2019) · Communications of the ACM · doi:10.1145/3339824 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
“15,18 The volunteer communities that supports DIY-AT have also been thoroughly studied, both by re-viewing the artifacts they produce 5,9 and by interviewing members of communities such as e-NABLE.”
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Martinez, J. J., Froehlich, J. E., & Fogarty, J. A. (2024) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3613904.3642804 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
“…has also highlighted how "hacks" employed by disabled people can be studied to understand existing accessibility failings of certain ecosystems (e.g., [16, 52, 66]), and to inform the design of future technology based on lives experiences of people with disabilities (e.g., [24, 36, 37, 47, 58]).”
Inclusive Making: designing tools and experiences to promote accessibility and redefine making
Worsley, M. B., & Bar-El, D. (2020) · Computer Science Education · doi:10.1080/08993408.2020.1863705 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
“However, as is the case with computing in general, people with disabilities may find themselves excluded from the tools and activities of making in the absence of deliberate considerations of accessibility (Alper, 2013; Hurst & Kane, 2013; Siu et al., 2018).”
BackgroundInfluentialBennett, C. L., Stangl, A. J., Siu, A. F., & Miele, J. A. (2019) · International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS) · doi:10.1145/3308561.3355619 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
“In response, researchers and hobbyists have explored sharing AT designs publicly [6], creating accessible spaces and activities [5], [9], [10], [17], [18], [21], [22], [25], [29], Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that co…”
BackgroundOldfrey, B. M., Barbareschi, G., Morjaria, P., Giltsoff, T., Massie, J., Miodownik, M. A., & Holloway, C. (2021) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su131910867 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
“This accessibility is not only economically inclusive, it is inclusive of people with disabilities, with digitally led processes bringing more access to user-led making [63,64].”
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“…fabrication tools and processes are not inclusive of people without prior technical expertise and that without stakeholder involvement at all levels of fabrication, design, and implementation, important challenges in integrating these techniques into therapy and medicine remain [8, 24, 30, 40].”
BackgroundData Navigator: An Accessibility-Centered Data Navigation Toolkit
Elavsky, F., Nadolskis, L., & Moritz, D. (2023) · IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics · doi:10.1109/tvcg.2023.3327393 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
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BackgroundPotluri, V., Thompson, J., Devine, J., Lee, B., Morsi, N., de Halleux, P., Hodges, S. E., & Mankoff, J. C. (2022) · ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (UIST) · doi:10.1145/3526113.3545700 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“Recent work has begun to raise and address this inaccessibility and exclusion through participatory design sessions and digital tools [18, 33, 58, 66, 69].”
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Making the maker movement more inclusive: Lessons learned from a course on accessibility in making
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Hamidi, F., Baljko, M., Kunić, T., & Feraday, R. M. (2015) · Journal of Assistive Technologies · doi:10.1108/jat-10-2014-0027 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
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“Others have identifed existing accessibility issues in makerspaces [95, 121] and maker technologies [27, 73, 74] and built new solutions to address these issues [106, 117].”
BackgroundEmpowering Low-Vision Rehabilitation Professionals with “Do-It-Yourself” Methods
Giraud, S., & Jouffrais, C. (2016) · Lecture notes in computer science · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-41267-2_9 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
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Borgos-Rodriguez, K., Das, M., & Piper, A. M. (2021) · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing · doi:10.1145/3444699 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
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“Hook et al., 2014; Hurst & Kane 2013; and Hurst & Tobias 2011 have discussed the benefits of DIY approaches in designing with people with disabilities.”
BackgroundMethodBespoke Reflections: Creating a One-Handed Braille Keyboard
Ellis, K., de Vent, R., Kirkham, R., & Olivier, P. L. (2020) · International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS) · doi:10.1145/3373625.3417019 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
“There has been an increased emphasis on making ‘DIY’ and individual assistive technologies to address these types of issues [20, 24, 25].”
BackgroundTronicBoards: An Accessible Electronics Toolkit for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Senaratne, H., Ananthanarayan, S., & Ellis, K. (2022) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3491102.3517483 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
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Hudson, N., Lafreniere, B. J., Chilana, P. K., & Grossman, T. (2018) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3173574.3173831 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
“Although studying children’s use of 3D design software is a relatively new focus in HCI research, recent work has explored “maker” activities with 3D printers in the classroom and formal instruction settings [8, 22, 27], in special education and accessibility contexts [12, 42], and in ICT4D environments [70].”
BackgroundHiggins, E., Sakowicz, M., & Hamidi, F. (2024) · International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS) · doi:10.1145/3663548.3675667 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“…not inclusive of people without prior technical expertise or people with disabilities, and that without stakeholder involvement at all levels of fabrication, design, and implementation, important challenges in integrating these techniques into therapy and special education remain [8, 23, 33, 40].”
Yung, A. K., Li, Z., & Ashbrook, D. (2018) · ACM International Conference on Interaction Design and Children (IDC) · doi:10.1145/3202185.3202751 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“Hurst et al. discussed the potential of tangible interaction to develop more-accessible design hardware and software [31] and Fails et al. found advantages of physical over digital environments for young children [16].”
BackgroundRace, L., Miele, J. A., Fleet, C., Igoe, T., & Hurst, A. K. (2020) · International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS) · doi:10.1145/3373625.3418011 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Self-citationMaker Technology and the Promise of Empowerment in a Flemish School for Disabled Children
Vandenberghe, B., Gerling, K., Geurts, L., & Vanden Abeele, V. (2022) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3491102.3501853 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Transreal tracing: Queer-feminist speculations on disabled technologies
Spiel, K. (2022) · Feminist Theory · doi:10.1177/14647001221082299 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“…(HCI) research into the design of technologies for disabled people and particularly into ways of ensuring access to technological design (e.g. Hurst and Kane, 2013; Meissner et al., 2017) are somewhat attuned to the inherent necessity, and hence unique skillset, of disabled people to find…”
BackgroundHaptic Models of Arrays Through 3D Printing for Computer Science Education
Papazafiropulos, N., Fanucci, L., Leporini, B., Pelagatti, S., & Roncella, R. (2016) · Lecture notes in computer science · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-41264-1_67 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
The Dilemma of Building Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Solutions For Workplace Accessibility
Cha, Y., Jackson, V., Kohl, K., Prikladnicki, R., van der Hoek, A., & Branham, S. (2025) · Proceedings of the 2025 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3706598.3713302 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“PWD tend to DIY their own solutions for accessibility (DIY assistive technology), which widely ranges from using existing solutions for diferent purposes [51] and combining multiple existing solutions together [44], to building solutions from scratch [20, 50].”
Daedalus in the Dark: Designing for Non-Visual Accessible Construction of Laser-Cut Architecture
Chang, R.-C., Tsao, C.-A., Liao, F.-Y., Yong, S., YEH, T. P., & Chen, B. (2021) · ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (UIST) · doi:10.1145/3472749.3474754 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“This movement has also made Do-It-Yourself Assistive Technology (DIY-AT) more accessible to BLV people, extending the power of non-expert individuals with disabilities to create devices that meet their own needs, in contrast to ready-made AT which poorly accommodates high variability in disabilities’ manifestation [24…”
BackgroundBleau, M., Jaiswal, A., Holzhey, P., & Wittich, W. (2022) · SAGE Open · doi:10.1177/21582440221117805 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“…when producing assistive devices and material with AM is found to be more motivating, interesting and engaging, all factors that are known to increase assistive technologies’ adoption rate (Bailey et al., 2015; Brule et al., 2016; Hurst & Kane, 2013; Hurst & Tobias, 2011; Phillips & Zhao, 1993).”
BackgroundA toolkit for facilitating accessible design with blind people
Bennett, C. L. (2018) · ACM SIGACCESS Accessibility and Computing · doi:10.1145/3178412.3178415 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“Hurst and Kane [5] articulated possibilities for people with disabilities to make their own assistive technologies given accessible tools.”
BackgroundCo-designing a 3D-Printed Tactile Campus Map With Blind and Low-Vision University Students
Crawford, K. A., Posada, J., Okueso, Y. E., Higgins, E., Lachin, L., & Hamidi, F. (2024) · International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS) · doi:10.1145/3663548.3688537 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“Consequently, maker approaches, particularly Do-It-Yourself Assistive Technology (DIY-AT) [10, 16, 25] and 3D printing, a promising enabler for DIY-AT [21, 23] have opened up new possibilities for creating afordable and personalized navigational tools, such as 3D-printed tactile maps.”
Exploratory Design of a Hands-free Video Game Controller for a Quadriplegic Individual
Taheri, A., Weissman, Z., & Sra, M. (2021) · Augmented Humans International Conference (AHs) · doi:10.1145/3458709.3458946 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Yang, K., Wu, J., Xin, H., & Gong, J. (2024) · Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction · doi:10.1145/3687012 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“Previous research has argued that the development of technologies and services that enable people to design, make, and adapt their own DIY-AT has the potential to address these challenges [23, 44].”
Cochrane, K. A., Nguyen, C., Cao, Y., Roestel, N. M. E., Jones, L., & Girouard, A. (2023) · International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction (TEI) · doi:10.1145/3569009.3572734 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“Inside the disability community, there is increased interest in empowering people with disabilities to become their own makers [14, 35, 36, 63].”
BackgroundSelf-sufficiency of 3-D printers: utilizing stand-alone solar photovoltaic power systems
Khan, K., Gauchía, L., & Pearce, J. M. (2018) · Renewables Wind Water and Solar · doi:10.1186/s40807-018-0051-6 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“2010; Hurst and Kane 2013; Lotz et al.”
BackgroundSarwar, S., & Wilson, D. C. (2025) · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing · doi:10.1145/3726530 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“Hurst and Kane [77] introduced the term “accessible making” to discuss the accessibility of digital fabrication (specifically 3D printing).”
Bartlett, R., Khoo, Y. X., Hourcade, J. P., & Rector, K. (2019) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3290605.3300421 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
ShrinkyKit: 3D Printing Shrinkable Adaptations for Everyday Objects
Sun, L., Yang, Y., Chen, Y., Li, J., Wang, G., Tao, Y., & Yao, L. (2020) · CHI Conference Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA) · doi:10.1145/3334480.3383034 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“Hurst [8] proposes a method that utilizes an”
BackgroundMethodLin, H., Aflatoony, L., & Wakkary, R. (2014) · CHI Conference Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA) · doi:10.1145/2559206.2581334 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“Several factors may lead to device abandonment by users, such as device performance, change in ability and preference of users [3].”
BackgroundProgramAlly: Creating Custom Visual Access Programs via Multi-Modal End-User Programming
Herskovitz, J., Xu, A., Alharbi, R., & Guo, A. (2024) · ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (UIST) · doi:10.1145/3654777.3676391 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“To this end, a variety of approaches have been developed aiming to make it easier for non-experts to create adaptive 3D models for themselves or a family member [12, 28].”
BackgroundCo-designing new keyboard and mouse solutions with people living with motor impairments
Cossovich, R., Hodges, S. E., Kang, J., & Girouard, A. (2023) · International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS) · doi:10.1145/3597638.3614549 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“Smaller is not better: To enhance the ease of manipulation and ensure accessibility for a wide range of users, researchers have explored prototyping technologies that ofer user-friendly interfaces [9, 14].”
BackgroundSupporting Campus Activism through Creating DIY-AT in a Social Justice Aligned Makerspace
Higgins, E., Oliver, Z., & Hamidi, F. (2025) · ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing · doi:10.1145/3715965 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“…fabrication tools and processes are not inclusive of people without prior technical expertise and that without stakeholder involvement at all levels of fabrication, design, and implementation, important challenges in integrating these techniques into therapy and medicine remain [10, 28, 36, 48].”
A Multi-modal Toolkit to Support DIY Assistive Technology Creation for Blind and Low Vision People
He, L., Li, Y., Fan, M., He, L., & Zhao, Y. (2023) · ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (UIST) · doi:10.1145/3586182.3616646 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“They thus have to spend time and efort to adapt to the ‘universally designed’ ATs, ending up with a high abandonment rate [5].”
BackgroundA Review of the Potential and Path to the Large-Scale Adaptation of DIY in Assistive Technology
Bohre, Y., Joshi, P., & Page, R. (2023) · Smart innovation, systems and technologies · doi:10.1007/978-981-99-0293-4_86 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
DIY Assistive Software: End-User Programming for Personalized Assistive Technology
Herskovitz, J. (2024) · ACM SIGACCESS Accessibility and Computing · doi:10.1145/3654768.3654772 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Cao, J., Jain, K., Zhang, J., Peng, Y., Patel, S., & Mankoff, J. C. (2025) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3706598.3713366 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Existing work has showcased how consumer fabrication approaches such as 3D printing, laser cutting, and knitting have been applied to customize or create diferent types of AT [5, 22, 24, 25, 37, 39].”
Recupero, A., Marti, P., & Guercio, S. (2021) · Behavior and Information Technology · doi:10.1080/0144929x.2021.1909654 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“However, since the accessibility of the weaving looms is problematic, we re-designed a handweaving loom to allow people with different disabilities to engage in textile crafts (Hurst and Kane 2013; Das, Borgos-Rodriguez, and Piper 2020).”
BackgroundBeadMuse AI: Enhancing Inclusive and Independent Crafting Through Adaptive Pixel Art Templates
Chen, S., Peng, D., Barbareschi, G., Sato, C., & Chen, D. D. (2023) · International Conference on the Internet of Things (IoT) · doi:10.1145/3627050.3631580 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Within the realm of making and fabrication, researchers have dili-gently pursued the creation of accessible tools and have recognized the significance of configuring materials within maker spaces to foster a sense of empowerment in makers [15].”
BackgroundUnderstanding (Non-)Visual Needs for the Design of Laser-Cut Models
Chang, R.-C., Yong, S., Liao, F.-Y., Tsao, C.-A., & Chen, B. (2023) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3544548.3580684 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“The domain of DIY assistive technologies (DIY-AT), where BVI people can create ATs that fulfill their custom needs [7, 59, 66] is a thriving area of making that helps to mitigate the high abandonment rate of traditional ATs, which cannot accommodate more diverse needs [39, 40, 56].”
BackgroundAdvancing Accessible 3D Design for the Blind and Visually-Impaired via Tactile Shape Displays
Siu, A. F. (2019) · ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (UIST) · doi:10.1145/3332167.3356875 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Yet accessibility remains a challenge and the BVI community, which may benefit immensely from such tools remains marginalized [8].”
BackgroundPalette-PrintAR: augmented reality design and simulation for multicolor resin 3D printing
Lipkowitz, G., & DeSimone, J. M. (2024) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3613904.3642909 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“While rapid prototyping has been found valuable in fabricating assistive technologies [3, 13] including via interactive 3D models [30], 2.5D shape displays [36], 3D tactile systems [35], and knitting machines [41], barriers to participation persist for users themselves with disabilities [14].”
Recupero, A., Marti, P., & Guercio, S. (2021) · European Conference on Cognitive Ergonomics · doi:10.1145/3452853.3452892 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Baldwin, M. S., Khurana, R., McIsaac, D., Sun, Y., Tran, T., Zhang, X., Fogarty, J. A., Hayes, G. R., & Mankoff, J. C. (2019) · Human-computer interaction series · doi:10.1007/978-1-4471-7440-0_36 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Li, M., & Aflatoony, L. (2025) · Disability and Rehabilitation Assistive Technology · doi:10.1080/17483107.2025.2483953 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“While some free predesigned ats, such as thingiverse [22,23], are available on online platforms, the selection is often limited and may not cover the diverse needs of all users.”
Potentials of Digital Assistive Technology and Special Education in Kenya
Hamidi, F., Owuor, P. M., Hynie, M., Baljko, M., & McGrath, S. (2017) · Advances in electronic government, digital divide, and regional development book series · doi:10.4018/978-1-5225-2565-3.ch006 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“A series of factors is driving this change including the upsurge in commons-based production (including open-source software and hardware), the growth of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) and Maker communities, and a proliferation of accessible and affordable prototyping components (Hurst & Kane, 2013).”
BackgroundChallenges and Opportunities in DFO-AT: A Study of e-NABLE
Parry-Hill, J. L., & Ashbrook, D. (2016) · RIT Scholar Works (Rochester Institute of Technology) · Cited by 3 · see citing works
The Use of Working Prototypes for Participatory Design with People with Disabilities
Haworth, B., Usman, M., Baljko, M., & Hamidi, F. (2016) · Lecture notes in computer science · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-41264-1_19 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
MakeNodes: Opening connected-IoT making to people with intellectual disability
Morra, D., Caslini, G., Mores, M., Garzotto, F., & Matera, M. (2024) · International Journal of Human-Computer Studies · doi:10.1016/j.ijhcs.2024.103325 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Zhang, K. Y., Higgins, E., Morant, A. V., & Hamidi, F. (2025) · International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS) · doi:10.1145/3663547.3746323 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“Current fabrication tools and processes have also been shown to not be inclusive of people with disabilities or without prior technical expertise, and that important challenges in integrating these techniques into therapy and special education remain [6, 19, 31, 41].”
Sarwar, S., & Wilson, D. C. (2025) · International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS) · doi:10.1145/3663547.3759756 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“Off-the-shelf ATs can be expensive with limited customization opportunities [17, 23, 42], and decline in quality over time [12, 43, 44], resulting in high abandonment rates [32, 40].”
Exploring AI-Fabrication in Shaping the Future of DIY-AT Design: Insights from Makers
Aflatoony, L., Li, M., Zhang, Y., Jacob, I., Xu, S., Tang, Z., & Grossberg, A. (2025) · International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS) · doi:10.1145/3663547.3746343 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“Despite the increasing use of digital fabrication in DIY-AT, current design tools often exclude individuals with disabilities or those without technical expertise, as they require advanced design knowledge and expert involvement, creating a steep learning curve for novice makers [10, 31, 44].”
A Practical CAD Method for the Visually Impaired: A Case of Modeling the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Minatani, K. (2023) · Lecture notes in computer science · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-35681-0_29 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Reese, J., Seo, J. H., & Srinavasa, A. (2020) · International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction (TEI) · doi:10.1145/3374920.3374957 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“Hurst and Kane [10] explored the incorporation of DIY techniques into assistive technologies to decrease individuals’ desire to stop using assistive technologies after short periods of time.”
Gaps in the delivery of rehabilitation medical equipment in the digital age
Lunsford, C. D., Rosen, L., Biffl, S. E., Ramsey, J., Edinger, J. M., Pierce, W., & Houtrow, A. J. (2019) · Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine · doi:10.3233/prm-190012 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Chagas, B. A. (2015) · doi:10.17771/pucrio.acad.26207 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Zhang, Y., Aflatoony, L., & Li, M. (2025) · Biannual Conference of the Italian SIGCHI Chapter (CHItaly) · doi:10.1145/3750069.3750146 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Access Is Not Enough: Toward Developmental Flourishing
Teng, Y., & Gergle, D. (2026) · CHI Conference Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA) · doi:10.1145/3772363.3798552 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“Do-It-Yourself (DIY) assistive technology reflects a community-driven approach to prototyping, hacking, or customizing existing tools [3, 11, 16], highlighting the need for system-level frameworks that support continuous end-user development.”
Grassroots Maker Perspectives on Participation in Do-It-Yourself Assistive Technology Development
Sarwar, S., Wilson, D. C., & Mahbub, K. (2026) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3772318.3790477 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“However, generic off-the-shelf ATs are often a poor fit for individual needs and provide limited customization opportunities [27, 35, 59].”
Li, M., Shi, Y., Bennett, C. L., & Das, M. (2026) · International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS) · doi:10.1145/3797867.3829034 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
- Authors
- Hurst, A., & Kane, S.
- Affiliations
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County (US)
- Venue
- Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Interaction Design and Children
- Publisher
- ACM
- Published
- 2013-06-24
- Pages
- 635-638
- OpenAlex
- W2010684062
- Cited by
- 128
- References
- 6
- Citations by year
- 2026: 14 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 7
- FWCI
- 22.34
- Type
- conference paper
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- ACM International Conference on Interaction Design and Children (IDC) (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Automotive Engineering › Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Science Applications › Open Source Software Innovations
- Keywords
- assistive technology, DIY, rapid prototyping, user empowerment, online communities, accessible technology
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