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Lost in Translation: Challenges and Barriers to Sign Language-Accessible User Research

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Published:17 October 2021Publication History

ABSTRACT

In this experience report, we describe an approach to ability-based focus groups with sign language users in a remote environment. We discuss our main lessons learned in terms of requirements for sign language-accessibility within research, calling out issues such as the need to address users in their natural language, ensuring translation for all parts of research processes, and including users not only within the conducted method but already within preparation phases. Based on requirements such as these, we argue that HCI research currently faces a dilemma when it comes to hearing researchers working with the sign language user population—having to handle the increasingly emphasized demand for conducting user research with this specific target group while lacking accessible tools and procedures to do so. Concluding our experience report, we address this dilemma by discussing the two sides of its fundamental challenge: Inadequate communication with and insufficient representation of sign language users within research.

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          • Published in

            cover image ACM Conferences
            ASSETS '21: Proceedings of the 23rd International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility
            October 2021
            730 pages
            ISBN:9781450383066
            DOI:10.1145/3441852

            Copyright © 2021 ACM

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            Publication History

            • Published: 17 October 2021

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            ASSETS '21 Paper Acceptance Rate36of134submissions,27%Overall Acceptance Rate436of1,556submissions,28%

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