Congratulations to Kate Ringland, who has a Work-in-Progress and a workshop paper accepted to CHI 2014!
Work-in-Progress
SensoryPaint: A Natural User Interface Supporting Sensory Integration in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Kathryn E Ringland, Rodrigo Zalapa, Megan Neal, Lizbeth Escobedo, Monica Tentori, and Gillian R Hayes
Natural User Interfaces (NUI) offer an innovative approach to sensory integration therapies. We designed and developed SensoryPaint, a NUI with the capability of superimposing the user’s reflection on a projected surface and “painting” this surface with balls of different textures and colors. We conducted a preliminary lab-based evaluation with 15 children with neurodevelopmental disorders in which they used the system for one hour. Our results demonstrate that whole-body interactions, such as those used in SensoryPaint, are promising as therapeutic tools for children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Workshop Paper for Supporting Children with Complex Communication Needs workshop
Virtual Worlds: An Alternative Method of Communication for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Kathryn E Ringland and Gillian R Hayes
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder often experience difficulties in communicating. Online virtual worlds offer one avenue of communication for these individuals, with a rich choice in methods for communication. Use of these virtual worlds for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder is already occurring in AutCraft, a Minecraft world specially built for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. A closer look into current use of these virtual worlds will offer insight into the practices of the community.
Congratulations to Oliver Haimson, whose workshop paper was accepted to the Designing Technology for Major Life Events workshop at CHI.
Understanding Gender Transition on Social Media to Design Technology for Changing Identities
Oliver L. Haimson and Gillian R. Hayes
Technology infrastructure often fails to account for users who do not fit within expected categories. Thus, designing technology and social networking sites flexible enough to allow for representation of complex identities that emerge as people embark on major life transitions, such as changing gender, is a particular challenge for HCI. Because little is known about how transgender people navigate gender transition online, we are developing a comprehensive online questionnaire to identify common themes and challenges of gender transition on social media. Results will guide designers in understanding how to construct infrastructures and user-interfaces robust and flexible enough for use by people before, during, and after major life events.