Author ORCID Identifier
K. R. Subisha: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5859-2692
Saji K. Mathew: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8551-8209
Hemachandran Karah: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3405-7174
Abstract
Embodiment plays a crucial role in shaping how individuals experience and interact with technology, particularly for blind and low vision (BLV) users. We employ phenomenology to investigate the embodied experiences of BLV individuals who use assistive technologies (ATs). Using screen readers as the assistive technology, we explore how bodily engagement influences use and adoption for this niche user segment. We draw upon Merleau-Ponty’s theory of embodied perception to examine how BLV users navigate the world through non-visual modalities, emphasizing that their interaction with technology is not merely cognitive but deeply rooted in physical and sensory experience. By highlighting the importance of embodiment, our study reveals potential design gaps in current ATs, where disembodied approaches hinder usability and adoption. These findings aim to inform the development of more intuitive and inclusive ATs that align with the embodied experiences of users.
Recommended Citation
Subisha, K. R., Mathew, S. K., & Karah, H. (In press). Am I a Nobody? A Phenomenological Investigation of Disembodied Assistive Technology Use. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 58, pp-pp. Retrieved from https://aisel.aisnet.org/cais/vol58/iss1/60
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