Talk Title:  Tool-making, Accessibility, and Interactive Data Experiences

Speaker:  Frank Elavsky, PhD candidate and Researcher, Human-Computer Interaction Institute, Carnegie Mellon University

Location: HBK 2105 and Zoom

Abstract:  “Come and join me for a first-ever prototype of my (eventual) job talk! This talk presents practical and research advancements in making interactive data experiences more accessible through a suite of tools and frameworks designed to enhance both the usability and creation of accessible, interactive data experiences. Central to this work is the rethinking of accessibility, focusing not just on the functionality of representations and visualizations but on how the tools and methodologies used to build them can shape accessible outcomes. Frank’s research introduces Chartability, a heuristic framework that enables practitioners, especially those with limited accessibility expertise, to evaluate and improve data visualizations across various disabilities. Complementing this, Data Navigator offers a dynamic system that allows designers to build accessible data navigation structures, supporting a variety of input modalities and assistive technologies to ensure inclusive data exploration. The concept of Softerware is introduced to aid tool designers in creating data representation systems that empower end-users with disabilities to personalize and customize their own experiences. Finally, the cross-feelter—a blind-centered data analysis hardware prototype—is presented, showcasing a tactile input device that significantly enhances how blind users explore complex relationships in linked data interfaces. Together, these contributions emphasize the importance of tools and toolmaking in creating accessible, inclusive, and customizable data interactions.”

 

Bio:  “Frank is a PhD candidate and researcher at the Human-Computer Interaction Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. His work explores the intersection of interactive data visualization, accessibility, and tooling as an intervention in the design process. Frank has collaborated with companies such as Apple’s Human-Centered Machine Intelligence research group, Adobe, Microsoft, Visa, and Highcharts. Frank’s contributions focus on reimagining accessibility as an integral part of the design and tool-making process, enabling data analysts and designers to build interfaces that proactively empower people with disabilities. His work bridges the gap between technical innovation and disability-centered design, transforming traditional approaches to accessibility into dynamic social and technical interventions that enhance both data exploration and interaction.”