Creative Problem-Solving: A Study with Blind and Low Vision Software Professionals
Background: Software engineering requires both technical skills and creative problem-solving. Blind and low vision software professionals (BLVSPs) encounter numerous workplace challenges, including inaccessible tools and collaboration hurdles with sighted colleagues. Objective: This study explores the innovative strategies employed by BLVSPs to overcome these accessibility barriers, focusing on their custom solutions and the importance of supportive communities. Methodology: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 BLVSPs and used reflexive thematic analysis to identify key themes. Results: Findings reveal that BLVSPs are intrinsically motivated to develop creative and adaptive solutions, highlighting the vital role of collaborative communities in fostering shared problem-solving. Conclusion: For BLVSPs, creative problem-solving is essential for navigating inaccessible work environments, in contrast to sighted peers, who pursue optimization. This study enhances understanding of how BLVSPs navigate accessibility challenges through innovation.
Sun 27 AprDisplayed time zone: Eastern Time (US & Canada) change
16:00 - 17:30 | Responsible SE Session / Day 1 ClosingResearch Track at 210 Chair(s): Ronnie de Souza Santos University of Calgary | ||
16:00 15mTalk | Irresponsibility Killed the Cat: Software Accountability Concerns Research Track Aria Zegers Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Natalie Preciado Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Jan Duchnowski Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Fernanda Madeiral Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Emitzá Guzmán Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | ||
16:15 15mTalk | In Defence of Collaboration Ecosystems: Addressing Critical Collaboration Elements, Cognitive Biases, and the Role of Technology Research Track Larry Abdullai LUT University, Kseniia Perova LUT University, Jari Porras LUT University , Sanaul Haque LUT University, Ekaterina Albats LUT University, Stefanie Kunkel Research Institute for Sustainabiltiy (RIFS) Helmholtz Centre Potsdam | ||
16:30 10mTalk | Creative Problem-Solving: A Study with Blind and Low Vision Software Professionals Research Track Karina Kohl UFRGS, Yoonha Cha University of California, Irvine, Victoria Jackson University of California, Irvine, Rafael Prikladnicki School of Technology at PUCRS University, Andre van der Hoek University of California, Irvine, Stacy Branham University of California, Irvine Pre-print | ||
16:40 10mTalk | Towards debiasing code review support Research Track Tobias Jetzen University of Namur, Xavier Devroey University of Namur, Nicolas Matton University of Namur, Benoît Vanderose University of Namur Pre-print | ||
16:50 10mTalk | The Good, the Bad, and the (Un)Usable: A Rapid Literature Review on Privacy as Code Research Track Nicolás E. Díaz Ferreyra Hamburg University of Technology, Sirine Khelifi Hamburg University of Technology, Nalin Arachchilage RMIT University, Riccardo Scandariato Hamburg University of Technology | ||
17:00 10mTalk | Inequity in Software Engineering: Looks that Matter Research Track Mary Sánchez-Gordón Østfold University College, Rahul Mohanani University of Jyväskylä, Ricardo Colomo-Palacios Universidad Politécnica de Madrid | ||
17:10 10mTalk | Lost in Transition: The Struggle of Women Returning to Software Engineering Research after Career Breaks Research Track | ||
17:20 10mTalk | Day 1 Closing Research Track | ||