• researchers in human-computer interaction, haptics, accessibility, wearables, multisensory technologies, engineering, design, and beyond
• potential users of haptics, multisensory and assistive technologies
• innovators, developers, practitioners, educators, or others interested in multisensory and haptic assistive technologies
• representatives for cultural institutions interested in broad and equal access to shared cultural heritage
• policymakers striving for an inclusive society and improved conditions through inclusive tech solutions
• disability rights advocates rooted in inclusion and promotion of equal opportunities for all

Attendance is free of charge, but registration is required.

“Haptics for Inclusion” is a research-based event that seeks to strengthen the community and to build bridges between different fields of studies towards improved technologies for a more inclusive society. By attending you can take an active role and contribute to this movement. You will also get a chance to:

• Present your ideas, research, demonstrate your prototypes, technologies and receive expert feedback.
• Get access to and connect with an extensive network of professionals and peers interested in these topics.
• Get the opportunity to be inspired by others and explore future opportunities for collaborations.
• Be part of shaping the path for future technologies towards an inclusive society.

In addition to attending the symposium, you as participant have the opportunity to:

1. (a) Present your work and discuss your ideas, and/or
2. (b) Showcase your multisensory or haptic innovations.

To do so, please submit a brief description or a video clip detailing your research, idea, or the technology you'd like to demonstrate. All submissions will undergo a peer-review by a committee to ensure their quality and relevance. If approved, your proposal will be included in the event's programme.

Important dates

Deadline for submission: 30 September
Notification of acceptance: 6 October

To submit

Please send your submissions via email to: nasrine.olson@hb.se

As part of this event, we plan to conduct two participatory studies where you as the participant will interact with different devices or objects and share your perceptions and experience with us.

We, therefore, would like to invite willing participants with lived experiences of disability to join us for these collaborative studies.

It should be noted that these sessions will be recorded for the purposes of analysis, however, the recordings will not be shared. Both study sessions will start with a description of the MuseIT project, its aims and objectives, and the reason for these studies. The rights of the participants will also be clearly stated.

The studies

Session A – Haptics for communication and sensing

In this session, the participants will be introduced to a number of haptic devices (e.g., a vest that conveys different sensations). The participants are then requested to test the haptic devices and provide feedback on their experience. Furthermore, a tool for design of meaning-bearing haptic patterns will be demonstrated. Then the participants will be invited to engage in brainstorming discussion on how to improve this tool and about other related devices and methods.

Session B – Embodied ideation of experimental aesthetics

This study focuses on non-visual representations and subjective perceptions of cultural artifacts. In this session, the participants will be presented with various objects to explore and share their perceptions of these objects. This will follow with discussions and embodied ideations about alternative representations of the introduced artifacts in different modalities for more inclusive and diverse representation formats of cultural artifacts."

Participants of both study sessions will receive a symbolic token of appreciation for their participation.

Interested?

If you wish to be part of these studies or like to learn more, please indicate your interest in the registration form or contact Renata Sadula via:

Email: renata.sadula@hb.se
Phone: +46-33-435 4605

There is a very limited budget to enable participation of attendees with variation in abilities and for PhD students whose proposals have been accepted. If you are able to cover your own expenses by other means, you are encouraged to do so, otherwise contact the organising committee with an estimation of the costs involved as soon as possible but no later than September 30th. Due to limited budget, not all requests can be met. The organising committee will carefully consider all the received requests and will inform you of their decision by 7 October. The committee’s decision will be final and not open to revision.

Submit your request for travel support via email to:

nasrine.olson@hb.se
arthur.theil@bcu.ac.uk
renata.sadula@hb.se

The host

The MuseIT project and INCLUDE - Centre for Inclusive Studies.

Acknowledgements

This symposium is supported by the EU funded project MuseIT, University of Borås, Forte, and ACM SIGCHI.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.