Abstract
Mainstream accessible design often prioritizes functional usability for people with disabilities, overlooking its social and symbolic dimensions. This study introduces an inclusive micro- design paradigm by exploring how braille-integrated buttons, a seemingly traditional tactile interface, serve as socio-cultural micro-signals that deliver tangible social impact. Usability trials with blind users confirmed error-free interaction, and follow-up studies showed enhanced certainty and comfort among sighted participants. Although the public perceived only moderate necessity, they widely acknowledged the symbolic and societal value of braille buttons. Thematic interviews further revealed how these tactile micro-signals foster shared visibility and everyday dignity. Grounded in low-cost, multi-sensory accessibility, our findings reposition tactile interfaces as catalysts for social equity, bridging gaps between usability, dignity, and public awareness in daily technologies.
Keywords
Inclusivedesign; Braille; Tactileinterface; Userperception
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.850
Citation
Wei, Y., Zhang, Q.,and Liu, Y.(2025) Reframing Everyday Accessibility through Inclusive Micro-Design: Empirical Evaluation of Braille Buttons as Socio-Cultural Interfaces, in Chang, C.-Y., and Hsu, Y. (eds.), IASDR 2025: Design Next, 02-05 December, Taiwan. https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.850
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Conference Track
Track 1 - More Than Human-centered Design
Reframing Everyday Accessibility through Inclusive Micro-Design: Empirical Evaluation of Braille Buttons as Socio-Cultural Interfaces
Mainstream accessible design often prioritizes functional usability for people with disabilities, overlooking its social and symbolic dimensions. This study introduces an inclusive micro- design paradigm by exploring how braille-integrated buttons, a seemingly traditional tactile interface, serve as socio-cultural micro-signals that deliver tangible social impact. Usability trials with blind users confirmed error-free interaction, and follow-up studies showed enhanced certainty and comfort among sighted participants. Although the public perceived only moderate necessity, they widely acknowledged the symbolic and societal value of braille buttons. Thematic interviews further revealed how these tactile micro-signals foster shared visibility and everyday dignity. Grounded in low-cost, multi-sensory accessibility, our findings reposition tactile interfaces as catalysts for social equity, bridging gaps between usability, dignity, and public awareness in daily technologies.