The co-creation of individualized assistive devices (IADs) is an innovative approach which allows people with disabilities (PWDs) to participate in the conception, design and development of their assistive devices (ADs). By virtue, being adapted to a specific and precise need, IADs have been reported to reduce the number of unmet needs among PWDs. Furthermore, this innovative approach has been shown to significantly reduce the rate of device abandonment. The present study aim was to co-design and pre-test a service model for IADs co-creation in Québec City, to address unmet needs of PWDs in terms of ADs. A service model was developed by the research team in collaboration with the program managers, clinicians and patient representatives of the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale (CIUSSS-CN), a health organization that oversees ADs allocation to PWDs in Québec City. The model was pre-tested with five (n=5) participants recruited among CIUSSS-CN service users. Preliminary findings indicate that the IADs co-created following the service model improved performance and satisfaction with activities for which participants used the IADs, and therefore support the potential of the service model. A larger-scale study is currently underway to validate these preliminary findings.

Background: For approximately one-quarter of the Canadian population aged 15 and over who report living with one or more disabilities, air travel remains challenging. Despite the implementation of various legislative measures, numerous obstacles persist in aircrafts for people with disabilities (PwDs). Obstacles can also vary significantly depending on the situation of PwDs and the equipment they use. Thus, the aim of this study is to explore and understand the barriers and facilitators that PWDs' face in the lavatories of 6 different commercial aircraft models.

Method: We conducted a qualitative study incorporating six focus groups with 36 PWDs, complemented by a scoping review of the literature. The former took place in full-scale aircraft cabin models. The data obtained will be used and analyzed in order to develop a material characterization of the various equipment used by PWDs.

Conclusion: By studying the physical features and properties of equipment used by PwDs, we can better understand their flight experience. The preliminary results, which will be presented at the 18th AAATE Conference, will help establish design criteria for improving accessibility in this context push forward the development of new assistive technologies in the context of air travel.

This study introduces an AI-driven methodology designed to streamline the process of alternative text (alt-text) generation for accessible eBooks, a task that has traditionally been both challenging and costly. This research seeks to fulfill a critical need within the publishing industry by offering an AI-based solution that harmonizes streamlined publishing processes with the requirements of digital accessibility standards and regulations.

The research work follows a practical and results-oriented approach, and the study is structured around three main steps. The initial stage entails an examination of multiple GAI systems for alt-text production, alongside with the establishment of a metric for the evaluation of alt-text quality. In the second phase, an automated system is developed to extract images and related content from EPUB files; this system interfaces with the selected GAI tools and is tested on real-world cases. The third phase comprises the evaluation of the generated alt-texts, providing insights into the performance of the different tools tested.

The proposed methodology advocates for a semi-automated approach to alt-text production. Although GAI technology facilitates efficiency and decreased production costs, the editorial knowledge is vital for the ultimate assessment of alt-text, guaranteeing that the results are of high quality and comply with accessibility requirements.

The development of an effective clinical evaluation methodology for assistive technologies for persons with disabilities requires a comprehensive understanding of insights gained through the evaluation process. This study investigates key factors influencing device improvements by conducting a survey with 36 companies and 20 interviews. The findings reveal that insights primarily emerge during the functional and overall prototyping stages, focusing on aspects such as functionality, safety, usability, and impact on daily life. Three critical elements were identified for generating meaningful insights: relationships with collaborators, the evaluation methodology, and recognition of evaluation limitations. Effective approaches include meticulous preparation, minimizing subjectivity and biases, extracting core issues from user feedback, and observing the emotional and practical effects on users’ lives. Additionally, the study highlights concerns regarding inadequate preclinical safety assessments before clinical evaluations, particularly emphasized by medical professionals. To enhance the reliability of clinical evaluations, it is essential to establish concrete preclinical safety assessment criteria. This research provides valuable insights into optimizing evaluation methodologies for assistive technologies, ultimately contributing to the development of safer and more user-friendly products for individuals with disabilities.