Accessible participatory design: Engaging and including visually impaired participants

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of various participatory design techniques made accessible for visually impaired participants. Within a project to design a tactile, pedestrian, navigation aid various participatory techniques were utilised. A suggestion for application is made alongside points of interest for each technique which may be of value to researchers new to both participatory design and design for visually impaired users. The conclusive paragraph draws out generalizable findings alongside the notion that, as the designers empathy for the user group increases, so to will their ability too create accessible participatory approaches.