- College of Information (INFO)

Research Projects

  
Filtered by: Accessibility and Inclusive Design

 

Accessible Visualization for Blind Users
Principal Investigator(s): Jonathan Lazar
Funders: National Science Foundation
Research Areas: Accessibility and Inclusive Design
This project aims to enhance accessibility to large-scale data analysis for blind and low-vision individuals, bridging the gap in current tools and technologies. It focuses on creating cost-effective, user-friendly data representations based on sound, touch, and physical computing. The research involves understanding user needs and designing practical accessible data applications in collaboration with the blind community.
Achieving Optimal Motor Function in Stroke Survivors via a Human-Centered Approach to Design an mHealth Platform
Principal Investigator(s): Eun Kyoung Choe
Funders: National Institutes of Health
Research Areas: Accessibility and Inclusive Design Health Informatics Human-Computer Interaction
Stroke rehabilitation, mHealth, Human-Computer Interaction
Partners: University of Massachusetts Amherst, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Formsense
Campus Computation Center: Support, Enrichment & Computing Identity Development to Boost STEM Success
Principal Investigator(s): Katherine Izsak Ron Padrón Vedat G. Diker Bill Kules beth bonsignore
Funders: DoD-Navy
Research Areas: Accessibility and Inclusive Design Human-Computer Interaction Youth Experience, Learning, and Digital Practices
The project focuses on several research areas, including Accessibility and Inclusive Design, Human-Computer Interaction, and Youth Experience, Learning, and Digital Practices.
CAREER: Self-Directed Human-LLM Coordination for Language Learning and Information Seeking
Principal Investigator(s): Ge Gao
Funders: National Science Foundation
Research Areas: Accessibility and Inclusive Design Health Informatics Human-Computer Interaction Information Justice, Human Rights, and Technology Ethics Machine Learning, AI, Computational Linguistics, and Information Retrieval Youth Experience, Learning, and Digital Practices
This project uses AI-powered digital tutors to help individuals with limited majority-language proficiency improve their language skills for real-world information seeking. By enabling users to design personalized tutoring systems, the study advances language learning, AI literacy, and human-computer interaction.
CHS: Medium: Collaborative Research: Teachable Activity Trackers for Older Adults
Principal Investigator(s): Eun Kyoung Choe
Funders: National Science Foundation
Research Areas: Accessibility and Inclusive Design Data Science, Analytics, and Visualization Health Informatics Human-Computer Interaction
Pushing the boundaries of how personal tracking devices, such as smart watches, can better support older adults---by identifying what health/activities data would be most useful for older adults if tracked, how to collect/track this data, and utilizing this information to develop a new personalized, multimodal activity tracker.
Designing AI-powered DIY Communication Tools with AAC users
Principal Investigator(s): Stephanie Valencia²
Funders: Google Corporation
Research Areas: Accessibility and Inclusive Design Human-Computer Interaction Machine Learning, AI, Computational Linguistics, and Information Retrieval
This Google Research Scholar-funded project designs AI-powered DIY communication tools to enhance accessibility for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) users.
Future of Interface and Accessibility Workshop
Principal Investigator(s): Gregg Vanderheiden
Funders: National Science Foundation
Research Areas: Accessibility and Inclusive Design
This project is focused on looking at the past and future of interface and accessibility including the development of a 20 year R&D agenda
Inclusive ICT Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (TRACE RERC)
Principal Investigator(s): J. Bern Jordan Amanda Lazar Hernisa Kacorri
Funders: Health and Human Services
Research Areas: Accessibility and Inclusive Design Data Privacy and Sociotechnical Cybersecurity Human-Computer Interaction
This $4.6M TRACE RERC grant advances research and development to expand accessible information and communication technologies for people with disabilities.
Information Technology Access RERC
Principal Investigator(s): J. Bern Jordan Amanda Lazar Hernisa Kacorri
Funders: DHHS-Administration for Community Living Other Federal
Research Areas: Accessibility and Inclusive Design Human-Computer Interaction Information Justice, Human Rights, and Technology Ethics Machine Learning, AI, Computational Linguistics, and Information Retrieval Youth Experience, Learning, and Digital Practices
The University of Maryland Information Technology RERC aims to improve accessibility for people with disabilities through research, technology development, and standards creation. Key initiatives include individualizing generative AI, enhancing usability for older adults, developing cross-disability solutions, and creating open-source tools and guidelines to ensure broad, equitable access to information and communication technologies.
MAITC Pilot A34 – MAITC Pilot A: Empowering Caregivers of Individuals with Cognitive Impairment to Make Safe Nonprescription Drug Decisions
Principal Investigator(s): Eun Kyoung Choe
Funders: National Institute on Aging (NIH) National Institutes of Health
Research Areas: Accessibility and Inclusive Design Health Informatics Human-Computer Interaction Machine Learning, AI, Computational Linguistics, and Information Retrieval
This project introduces Aidara, an AI-powered digital health system designed to help caregivers make safer over-the-counter medication decisions for individuals with cognitive impairments. By using large language models to simplify and present drug information through multimodal formats- including text, speech, and visuals- Aidara aims to enhance understanding, reduce health risks, and improve self-guided medication management.
Maryland Institute for Digital Accessibility (MIDA)
Principal Investigator(s): Jonathan Lazar Paul T. Jaeger J. Bern Jordan Galina Madjaroff Reitz Katherine Izsak
Funders: UMD Funded
Research Areas: Accessibility and Inclusive Design Human-Computer Interaction Information Justice, Human Rights, and Technology Ethics
The Maryland Initiative for Digital Accessibility (MIDA) unites UMD researchers, educators, and partners to design “born-accessible” technologies, foster community engagement, and advance digital inclusion.

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