Making Accessibility Work: People, Practices, and AI

Abstract: What does it take to make visual information accessible, and where can AI meaningfully support that work? Creating accessible media involves more than translating information from one format to another. It requires human expertise, interpretation, and collaboration across disciplines and technologies. Drawing on Abigale Stang’s research at MultiSense.Studio in Georgia Tech’s School of Industrial Design and collaborations with the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation (CIDI), this talk examines these challenges through work on AI-generated image descriptions, tactile media design and production, and the handoffs involved in creating accessible materials. It also introduces the Tactile Media Alliance, an effort to connect expertise and practices across disciplines and organizations. Together, these examples raise questions about what AI can make easier, where human judgment remains essential, and how emerging technologies can support the collaborative practices behind accessible design.

Bio: Abigale Stang is a researcher at Georgia Tech’s MultiSense.Studio in the School of Industrial Design. Her work focuses on accessibility, inclusive design, and the development of accessible visual and tactile media. Her research explores AI-generated image descriptions, tactile media design and production, and the collaborative processes involved in making information accessible. She also directs the Tactile Media Alliance, an initiative connecting researchers, practitioners, and organizations to advance tactile media accessibility.

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IPaT: GVU Lunch Lecture Series