"Because we are no longer ashamed of our disabilities, we are proud": Advocating and Reclaiming Next-Gen Accessibility Symbols
This work addresses the need for more inclusive accessibility supports for people with disabilities in diverse settings, though it is incremental in proposing enhancements to existing symbol-based systems.
The study tackled the problem of how accessibility symbols can better support disability disclosure with emerging technologies, finding that symbols are most effective when integrated into wearable devices and mobile interfaces with user control over visibility and optional explanations, reducing misinterpretation and supporting agency.
Our study investigates the relationship between accessibility symbols and emerging technologies in supporting disability disclosure. We conducted twenty three remote design creation sessions with semi structured interviews to examine participants awareness of existing symbols, how they use symbols across online and offline contexts, and barriers to adoption and interpretation. Through participant sketching and future oriented storyboard probes, participants proposed ways to integrate symbols into wearable devices, mobile interfaces, and portable tools, emphasizing customizable and context sensitive disclosure. Our findings suggest symbols are most effective when paired with technologies that provide user control over visibility and optional pathways for explanation, helping reduce misinterpretation while supporting agency in disclosure moments. By reimagining symbol based assistance as part of a broader disclosure system where meaning depends on the symbol, its carrier, and context, this work informs more inclusive accessibility supports across diverse settings.