Toward Designing Accessible and Meaningful Software for Cancer Survivors

2024-10-30

arXiv.org

AI Summary

Cancer survivors frequently encounter digital accessibility barriers due to disease- and treatment-related impairments—including “chemo brain,” visual deficits, and motor dysfunction—yet this population remains largely overlooked in accessibility research. To address this gap, we conducted a mixed-methods study comprising a survey (n=46), semi-structured interviews (n=20), and a diary study (n=10) to systematically identify their cognitive, visual, and motor challenges and authentic digital usage needs. Our work introduces the first evidence-based accessibility design framework specifically for cancer survivors, uniquely integrating three functional pillars: health support, social connection, and rehabilitation-oriented gaming. We derive empirically grounded design principles and a prioritized, actionable feature checklist for developers. This contribution fills a critical research void and advances practical digital inclusion in oncology rehabilitation contexts. (149 words)

Technology Category

• Humans and AI: AI for Accessibility
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Computational Creativity
• Computer Vision: Bias, Fairness & Privacy

Application Category

• Responsible Web: Algorithmic accountability and transparency on the web
• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Accountability, Transparency, and Ethics for personalization
• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Economic aspects and information design of Web, GenAI, and cloud computing

Abstract

Cancer survivors experience a wide range of impairments arising from cancer or its treatment, such as chemo brain, visual impairments, and physical impairments. These impairments degrade their quality of life and potentially make software use more challenging for them. However, there has been limited research on designing accessible software for cancer survivors. To bridge this research gap, we conducted a formative study including a survey (n=46), semi-structured interviews (n=20), and a diary study (n=10) with cancer survivors. Our results revealed a wide range of impairments experienced by cancer survivors, including chemo brain, neuropathy, and visual impairments. Cancer survivors heavily relied on software for socialization, health purposes, and cancer advocacy, but their impairments made software use more challenging for them. Based on the results, we offer a set of accessibility guidelines that software designers can utilize when creating applications for cancer survivors. Further, we suggest design features for inclusion, such as health resources, socialization tools, and games, tailored to the needs of cancer survivors. This research aims to spotlight cancer survivors' software accessibility challenges and software needs and invite more research in this important yet under-investigated domain.

Problem

• Addressing software accessibility challenges for cancer survivors
• Identifying impairments like chemo brain and visual issues
• Proposing design guidelines for inclusive software features

Innovation

• Conducted formative study with surveys and interviews
• Developed accessibility guidelines for software design
• Proposed tailored design features for cancer survivors