AURC Spring 2026 Newsletter

News, events, and resources

Spring 2026

Happy Spring, AURC Family!

This new season brings in new events, happenings, updates and research opportunities with the Accessibility User Research Collective (AURC). Thanks to AURC Nation for working with us on research projects on assistive technology, usability, and accessibility to help make products accessible for all!

The Accessibility User Research Collective is a national network of people with diverse backgrounds, stories, and needs for accessible products and services. The AURC is operated by the User Experience and Usability Research Lab at Shepherd Center.

In this issue you’ll find information about:

• Global Accessibility Awareness Day
• The new rule on web and mobile app accessibility issued by the U.S. Department of Justice
• Recap of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics
• ASL Day at Cades Cove
• Open research studies from the AURC community
• AURC member spotlight
• Upcoming events on the Disability Calendar
• New studies conducted by the AURC

Thanks again for contributing to our mission and being a valued member of the AURC community!

Happy Reading!

News for you

• GAAD Resource Fair at Shepherd Center on May 20: Atlanta locals, we hope you can join us at Shepherd Center’s free to attend Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) Resource Fair on May 20! The event will take place from 11:00 a.m. –2:00 p.m. in the 7th Floor Auditorium and will feature food and beverages, interactive resource booths, and a guest speaker at noon. There is no need to RSVP; the event is open and free for all! If you’re interested in attending or need accommodations (e.g., ASL interpreter, sighted guide, etc.), please email [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you there! The worldwide celebration of the 15th Global Accessibility Awareness Day officially will be on Thursday, May 21, 2026. The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments. To learn more about GAAD and events around the world, visit the GAAD official site. You can even add your own accessibility event!
• Recap of Winter Paralympics: The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics took place from March 6-15 in Italy, bringing together more than 600 athletes from around the world to compete in 79 events across six sports. The Games highlighted both elite athletic performance and the continued growth of adaptive sports, with a record number of countries earning medals and increased participation from women athletes. China topped the medal table, followed by the United States, while host nation Italy celebrated its most successful Winter Paralympics to date. Beyond the competition, the Games emphasized innovation, accessibility, and global visibility for athletes with disabilities, continuing to push forward conversations around inclusion in sport and society. The continued growth and visibility of the Paralympic Movement builds on decades of advocacy for inclusion. Following the 1996 Summer Paralympics in Atlanta, leaders like Alana Shepherd, a founder of Shepherd Center, championed the importance of hosting the Paralympic Games alongside the Olympic Games in the same city and year. These efforts helped influence lasting change, with the International Olympic Committee later requiring future host cities to plan for both events. The Atlanta Games also marked a milestone for inclusion, as athletes with intellectual disabilities were awarded full medal status for the first time, reflecting a broader shift toward equity and recognition within global sport. Read more about the 1996 Summer Paralympics.
• ASL Day at Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park: The “Signs of Spring” ASL Day at Cades Cove took place on April 18, 2026, bringing together members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community for a day centered on accessibility, connection, and the outdoors. In celebration of National American Sign Language Day, the event featured ASL-interpreted ranger programs, historical demonstrations, and Junior Ranger activities supported by interpreters from local organizations. Events like this promote inclusive access to public spaces while fostering community, increasing visibility of Deaf culture, and ensuring Deaf and Hard of Hearing visitors can fully engage with educational and cultural experiences.
• DOJ Final Rule Expands Digital Accessibility Under the ADA: In April 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a landmark rule requiring state and local governments to make their websites and mobile apps accessible under Title II of the ADA. Covering essential services like healthcare, education, and voting, the rule sets clear standards to reduce digital barriers and expand access. By improving usability, it supports greater independence, privacy, and full participation for people with disabilities while benefiting all users.
• Remembering Bob Hall, Pioneer of Wheelchair Racing: Bob Hall, widely recognized as the father of wheelchair racing, passed away at age 74. A childhood polio survivor, Hall made history in 1975 when he became the first official wheelchair participant in the Boston Marathon, completing the race in under three hours and paving the way for greater inclusion in endurance sports. He went on to win the race twice and later designed innovative racing wheelchairs that shaped the future of the sport. Hall’s advocacy helped open doors for athletes with disabilities, contributing to the establishment of wheelchair divisions in major marathons and inspiring generations of competitors. Read more about Bob Hall.

Research opportunities outside of the AURC

• Community Outreach: Seeking Blind and Visually Impaired Participants for Haptic Bracelet Unpaid Research: Ian Lee, a high school sophomore in Dallas, is developing a haptic feedback bracelet designed to complement AI-powered smart glasses for people who are blind or visually impaired. The bracelet translates environmental hazards, such as curbs, potholes, and large obstacles, into vibration patterns on the wrist, helping reduce audio overload and allowing smart glasses to deliver more detailed information. Ian is currently seeking participants for brief 15–20-minute interviews to better understand whether this solution would be useful to the community. Participation is free, voluntary, and can take place via phone, video call, or email. This student-led initiative highlights how community input can shape emerging accessibility technologies and offers an opportunity to directly influence the development of innovative assistive tools. Interested individuals can learn more or get involved via Instagram @eagleeyes.ai, the Eagle Eyes AI project website, or by contacting Ian directly via email at [email protected].
• Opportunity: Amazon “A11y” Campaign Seeking Participants: Amazon is launching its annual “A11y” campaign, highlighting how its devices and services, such as Echo, Alexa, Fire TV, and Kindle, support independence for people with disabilities. The campaign is seeking individuals who use these technologies in their daily lives and are interested in participating in a paid video series. There is a particular interest in participants from rural communities, and local representation is encouraged. This initiative helps showcase real-world impact and elevate the role of accessible technology in everyday life. Please reach out to Elodie Fichet at [email protected] if you are interested. Take a look at recent “A11y” campaigns for Fire TV here:
  • ​​​​Fire TV – Anthem (long form)
  • Fire TV – Anthem with audio description (long form)
  • Fire TV – Text Banner feature
  • Fire TV – Dual Audio feature (tip: listen with headphones to get the audio effect of mono to stereo)
  • Fire TV – Dialogue Boost feature
• Opportunity: University of Illinois seeking Participants: The Disability, Participation, and Quality of Life Research Laboratory at the University of Illinois invites adults living with spinal cord injury (SCI) or multiple sclerosis (MS) who use wheelchairs or scooters to join an online study focused on fall prevention. You will learn ways to prevent and manage falls, with the goal of participating in enjoyable activities at home and in the community. If you participate, you will be randomly assigned to one of two six-week fall prevention and management education programs. Participants will be asked to complete online 3 surveys and track the frequency of their falls over a 14-week period. Compensation for participation will be in the form of at least $180 in Amazon gift cards. To learn more or check your eligibility, email [email protected].

Spring 2026 calendar of disability events and recognition

April

• Autism Awareness Month
• Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) Awareness Month
• Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month
• National Deaf History Month
• Occupational Therapy Awareness Month
• Paralyzed Veterans Across America Month
• 2nd – World Autism Awareness Day
• 3rd – Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
• 15th – National American Sign Language (ASL) Day
• 22nd – National Assistive Technology Awareness Day

May

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Month
• Arthritis Awareness Month
• National Mobility Month
• National Speech-Language-Hearing Month
• Stroke Awareness Month
• 15th – Global Accessibility Awareness Day
• 30th – World Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Day

June

• Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month
• Aphasia Awareness Month
• 18th – Autistic Pride Day
• 21st – Global Day of Recognition of ALS/MND
• 22nd-28th – Helen Keller DeafBlind Awareness Week

Member spotlight: Miriam Rocke

Miriam has Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP), a rare genetic condition in which the body forms extra bone in muscles and connective tissues, progressively limiting movement. As a result, she is largely immobilized in a seated position and relies on a power wheelchair, caregiver support, and a thoughtfully customized environment to maintain independence. Miriam also has mild hearing impairment and uses a hearing aid.

Assistive technology is essential to her daily life. Miriam uses adaptive tools such as a trackball mouse with programmable buttons, an onscreen keyboard with predictive text, and voice dictation to navigate a computer with limited hand mobility. On a phone and tablet, she uses features like magnification, AssistiveTouch, captioning, and an Apple Pencil to interact more easily. Because physical repositioning is not possible, Miriam often uses a phone camera as a visual aid to zoom in on objects that are out of reach. She is also supported by a service dog trained to assist with everyday tasks like retrieving items and operating light switches.

Miriam is passionate about contributing to research and advancing accessibility and disability awareness. Having previously worked in online customer support, she now engages with platforms like ResearchMatch and Zooniverse, as well as FOP-related research efforts. Miriam is a strong advocate for inclusive design and service dog awareness, emphasizing that accessibility is not one-size-fits-all and that different disabilities require different solutions.

Through lived experience and advocacy, Miriam encourages a broader understanding of access. She highlights that while some supports are widely normalized, many accessibility needs still go unrecognized.

Take a look at the following resources for more information about FOP, tools for independent living, Zooniverse, and service dogs.

• International Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva Association
• IFOPA’s Ability Toolbox Guidebook
• Zooniverse
• Canine Companions

AURC program updates

New AURC website!

As part of Shepherd Center’s ongoing growth and strategic direction the AURC website has been updated and incorporated into the main shepherd.org website. Check out our new online digs! You can also learn more about the User Experience Research and Usability Lab in Shepherd Center’s Research and Innovation Institute. Be sure to bookmark us to learn about new studies and other events in the AURC.

Recently completed and current projects

Smart TV Survey: The AURC is nearing completion of data collection for our first large survey of 2026. This study explores how people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing experience accessibility features on Smart TVs. Insights from this work will help identify opportunities to improve how these features are designed, implemented, and used in everyday settings.

Smart Phone User Testing with People with Hearing Loss/Deafness and Vision Impairments: User testing is currently underway with 3 participants who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and 3 participants with vision impairments. This research focuses on key accessibility experiences, including connecting Bluetooth hearing aids or cochlear implants, as well as using screen readers and magnification tools. The goal is to better understand real-world usability, identify accessibility gaps, and provide actionable insights to drive meaningful improvements in smartphone design.

Tri-Fold Phone User Testing with People with Dexterity Disabilities: A new generation of smartphones that fold in three ways is creating new opportunities, and potentially some challenges, for accessibility. In an upcoming study, 6 participants with dexterity disabilities will engage in user testing to evaluate the usability of this tri-fold design. Findings will help uncover potential barriers and inform more inclusive design considerations as new technologies continue to evolve.

Additional accessibility resources

We are happy to share resources to help you learn more about accessibility resources and services.

• Follow us on LinkedIn: AURC LinkedIn

Spread the word about the AURC! Share this newsletter and tell friends to visit us and join the collective: The Accessibility User Research Collective | Shepherd Center