IMPORTANT
Stephanie Valencia²'s talk on "Using Participatory Design and AI to Create Agency-increasing Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems"
Monday, November 18, 2024 · 3 - 4 PM
Co-hosted with the ISRC.
Abstract:
Agency and communication are integral to personal development, enabling us to pursue and express our goals. However, agency in communication is not fixed–Many individuals who use speech-generating devices to communicate encounter social constraints and technical limitations that can restrict what they can say, how they can say it, and when they can contribute to a discussion. In this talk, I will delve into how an agency-centered design approach can foster more accessible communication experiences and help us uncover opportunities for design. Drawing from empirical research and collaborative co-design with people with disabilities, I will highlight how various technological tools—such as automated transcription, physical interaction artifacts, and AI-driven language generation—can impact conversational agency. Additionally, I will share practical design strategies and discuss existing challenges for co-designing communication technologies that enhance user agency and participation.
Agency and communication are integral to personal development, enabling us to pursue and express our goals. However, agency in communication is not fixed–Many individuals who use speech-generating devices to communicate encounter social constraints and technical limitations that can restrict what they can say, how they can say it, and when they can contribute to a discussion. In this talk, I will delve into how an agency-centered design approach can foster more accessible communication experiences and help us uncover opportunities for design. Drawing from empirical research and collaborative co-design with people with disabilities, I will highlight how various technological tools—such as automated transcription, physical interaction artifacts, and AI-driven language generation—can impact conversational agency. Additionally, I will share practical design strategies and discuss existing challenges for co-designing communication technologies that enhance user agency and participation.
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Dr. Valencia² is dedicated to promoting equitable access to
assistive technologies (AT), advocating for open-source hardware, and
championing the inclusion of underrepresented groups in technology
design and development. Dr. Valencia²’s research endeavors are centered
on elevating user agency, accessibility, and enjoyment. Employing
participatory design methodologies, she has explored the integration of
diverse design elements such as artificial intelligence and embodied
expressive objects to empower augmentative and alternative communication
users. Dr. Valencia² works on conceptualizing these innovations but
also in building and deploying them to make a real-world impact.
Rigorous empirical studies are an integral part of her work, ensuring
that the efficacy and significance of design contributions are
thoroughly assessed. She earned her Ph.D. at the Human-computer
Interaction Institute at Carnegie Mellon University.