Captions make the audio content of videos accessible and understandable for deaf or hard-of-hearing people (DHH). However, in real-time captioning scenarios, captions alone can be challenging for DHH users to identify the active speaker in a real time in multiple-speaker scenarios. To enhance the accessibility of real-time captioning, we propose Haptic-Captioning which provides real-time vibration feedback on the wrist by directly translating the sound of content into vibrations. We conducted three experiments to examine: (1) the haptic perception (Preliminary Study), (2) the feasibility of the haptic modality along with real-time and non-real-time visual captioning methods (Study 1), and (3) the user experience of using the Haptic-Captioning system in different media contexts (Study 2). Our results highlight that the Haptic-Captioning complements visual captions by improving caption readability, maintaining media engagement, enhancing understanding of emotions, and assisting speaker indication in real-time captioning scenarios. Furthermore, we discuss design implications for the future development of Haptic-Captioning.

Virtual Reality (VR) systems use immersive spatial audio to convey critical information, but these audio cues are often inaccessible to Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) individuals. To address this, we developed SoundHapticVR, a head-based haptic system that converts audio signals into haptic feedback using multi-channel acoustic haptic actuators. We evaluated SoundHapticVR through three studies: determining the maximum tactile frequency threshold on different head regions for DHH users, identifying the ideal number and arrangement of transducers for sound localization, and assessing participants’ ability to differentiate sound sources with haptic patterns. Findings indicate that tactile perception thresholds vary across head regions, necessitating consistent frequency equalization. Adding a front transducer significantly improved sound localization, and participants could correlate distinct haptic patterns with specific objects. Overall, this system has the potential to make VR applications more accessible to DHH users.

Vehicular networks have emerged as a promising means to mitigate safety hazards in modern transportation systems. On highways, emergency situations associated with vehicles necessitate a reliable media access control (MAC) protocol that can provide timely warnings of possible vehicle collisions. In this paper, we present an edge-assisted cluster-based MAC protocol (ECMAC) for packet dissemination in software-defined vehicular networks. To reduce the control messaging overhead for clustering, ECMAC separates the cluster control plane (i.e., managing cluster formation) from the data plane (i.e., actual data transmission and forwarding) by using a software-defined network controller in a cellular network edge server. For transmitting packets, we design a time-division multiple access (TDMA) schedule algorithm to guarantee a high reliability and a low latency. The TDMA schedule in ECMAC is determined by a joint optimization process in the cellular edge, which is formulated as a binary integer linear programming problem and solved by a heuristic approach based on the divide-and-conquer paradigm. This joint optimization process minimizes the signal interference by jointly considering channel assignment and time slot allocation, thereby ensuring reliable communication. Through extensive simulations, our performance results show that ECMAC improves the successful delivery ratio of emergency packets by at least 25 %, compared with state-of-the-art approaches.

Two-factor Authentication (also known as 2FA or two-step verification) is an authentication method that provides an extra layer of protection to ensure online account security. 2FA methods are used along with other primary authentication methods like PINs and Passwords to verify that the person trying to access any digital account is the person they are claiming to be. However, 2FA methods can be inaccessible for blind and low vision (BLV) users due to the requirement of multiple steps, apps, and/or devices for authentication. In addition, it can be a security risk as screen readers may read out the verification codes to bystanders. To address this, we present Haptic2FA, a haptic-based authentication method to improve 2FA accessibility for BLV users. Here, as a part of the 2FA process, the users are sent a 'haptic pattern' (similar to a one-time passcode in traditional 2FA methods) that they are required to enter or select for verification. Through a usability study with 10 BLV participants, we evaluated haptic patterns and input methods for the haptic patterns in the Haptic2FA method. Through the findings, we discuss the accessibility and usability of the Haptic2FA method.

A connected network of automated vehicles on roads can increase the driving safety of driverless vehicles (i.e., autonomous vehicles). The critical level of dangerous situations on the road while driving can be increased by the speed, orientation, and traffic density of the vehicles involved. Therefore, there is a need for a maneuvering mechanism that handles both the current driving vehicle and the oncoming vehicles headed toward an emergency zone (e.g., road hazard and road accident spot). In this paper, we present a context-aware navigation protocol (CNP) that enhances the safety of vehicles driving in urban roads. Firstly, CNP includes a collision avoidance module that builds on both vehicular networks and on-board sensors to track vehicles’ behaviors, and this module analyzes the driving risks to determine the necessary maneuvers in dangerous situations. Secondly, CNP establishes a collision mitigation strategy that limits the severity of collision damages in hazardous road during non-maneuverable scenarios. We conducted a theoretical analysis as well as extensive simulations to prove and evaluate the effectiveness of CNP. The results show that CNP can reduce communication overhead from a baseline scheme by up to 60% while the risk of road collisions is less than 5%.

Customer services are important for answering questions, providing information, and handling issues. Often people want to connect with a customer service representative, yet, this can be an accessibility barrier for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People (DHH) when voice calls are the only method. However, little is known about the challenges experienced by DHH people in solely voice-based customer service settings (e.g., authenticating themselves over the phone to their banks). To address this, we interviewed 18 DHH people to understand the challenges when remotely authenticating themselves with customer service. Though DHH people are not unique in their attitudes and behaviors toward mobile authentication, we found that voice-based authentication and services are challenging. Furthermore, DHH people can often be put in positions where they must trust third-party support (e.g., human interpreters) when discussing sensitive information to authenticate themselves through voice-based authentication and services. We present several avenues of future work needed to address these challenges.