Representation and perceptions of disability with the Global Disability Innovation Hub
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Computer Science
Abstract
This project aims to explore the cultural factors that affect the perceptions of people toward disability and the impact of such attitudes on disabled people.
While the general perception of people towards disability has evolved in recent years, there are negative stereotypes that are reinforced by incomplete or incorrect information in the media. This research will initially focus on highlighting these stereotypes in printed and online media - qualitiative and quantitative methods will then be used to analyse how disability is reported, what cultural and political factors influence this and how such reporting might impact on perceptions of people with disabilities. Emotional responses will also be studied using a range of methods including machine learning of facial expressions and posture - studies will involve people with disabilities as well as those without.
It is hoped that this research will create awareness about disability in different cultural settings by understanding the impact of positive and negative media representation on people with disabilities and society as a whole.
While the general perception of people towards disability has evolved in recent years, there are negative stereotypes that are reinforced by incomplete or incorrect information in the media. This research will initially focus on highlighting these stereotypes in printed and online media - qualitiative and quantitative methods will then be used to analyse how disability is reported, what cultural and political factors influence this and how such reporting might impact on perceptions of people with disabilities. Emotional responses will also be studied using a range of methods including machine learning of facial expressions and posture - studies will involve people with disabilities as well as those without.
It is hoped that this research will create awareness about disability in different cultural settings by understanding the impact of positive and negative media representation on people with disabilities and society as a whole.
Organisations
| Description | The main objective of this research was to develop an in-depth understanding of blind and partially sighted (BPS) people's experience of mobility and open spaces. Formative research, interviews and focus group discussions with BPS people led to the development of PLACES (Plan, Access, Contribute, Engage, Share) framework which investigates accessibility needs and sense of agency and control of BPS people at different stages of the open space experience. The sense of Contribution emerged as a central concept to people's experience. Many participant reported the desire to contribute to their own and other people's experience of open spaces. We built on the PLACES framework to create a prototype of a crowdsourced online platform for capturing BPS people's experience of visiting open spaces with the aim to inform other people in the community. |
| Exploitation Route | The PLACES framework and insights from this research can inform the design of accessible navigation and leisure technologies for blind and partially sighted people. |
| Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Environment,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Description | Findings from this research have led to a new teaching and research sub-area within the University College London (UCL), Department of Computer Science MSc Disability Design and Innovation programme. We have developed public engagement workshops with UCL Public Engagement team and lectures focusing on assistive and accessible navigation technologies for blind and partially sighted people. Furthermore, the PLACES framework has been included in the newly published book by Catherine Holloway and Giulia Barbareschi. 2021. Disability Interactions: Creating Inclusive Innovations. Synthesis Lectures on Human-Centered Informatics 14, 6: i-198. https://doi.org/10.2200/S01141ED1V01Y202111HCI053. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
| Sector | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Societal |
| Description | Press coverage on international news website |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I was contacted by a journalist who was writing an article related to technologies for nature and open spaces for the Wärtsilä insights magazine. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.wartsila.com/insights/article/nature-s-healing-benefits-go-virtual |