Designing wearable computing technology for acceptability and accessibility

Wearable forms of assistive technology (AT) have the ability to support users while on the go. However, using AT in public can be subject to sociocultural influences (e.g., societal stigma, judgment, and social isolation) due to the conspicuousness of the device, often leading users to modify, hide, or even abandon their AT. As new physical forms of wearable AT enter the market (e.g., smart garments, head-up displays, and specialized on-body devices), such devices may or may not be socially acceptable when displayed or used in a public setting, respectively. This research seeks to explore how perceptions of wearable and collocated assistive technology, such as, the appearance or associated operation of the device, can influence whether individuals will use their AT. Our objective is to critically understand the role that design and aesthetics can play to mitigate the existing stigma concerns that permeate AT usage in order to inform the design of future AT devices.