Visiting Faculty in CS at @OttawaU | PhD @ODU, @WebSciDL | #HCI & #a11y researcher: screen reader access & social computing | 🇧🇩 | 🇺🇸

Norfolk
Joined March 2010
Congratulations 🎉👏🎊
Replying to @jaf_ferdous
@jaf_ferdous is now defending his PhD thesis: Proxy Interfaces for Enhancing Non-Visual Web Usability. @accessodu @WebSciDL @oducs
1
38
.@AkshayKNayak7 is now presenting his PhD Prospectus Defense, “Responsible AI for Learning Usability.” The work explores how blind and visually impaired learners adopt computing skills in resource-constrained Global South contexts. cc:/ @WebSciDL @accessodu @ODUSCI @oducs (1/5)
4
5
2
89
The proposed next step is an AI-driven self-learning tool with personalized learner profiles, contextual scaffolding, multilingual support, stepwise guidance, and audio-based sandbox environments for safer independent learning. (5/5)
30
A key finding is a compounding cycle: ocularcentric curricula, undertrained instructors, inconsistent peer support, inaccessible self-learning resources, and generic tools create persistent gaps in learning confidence and skill development. (4/5)
29
The thesis examines BVI technology adoption through job seekers’ self-reflection, computing education experiences of students, instructors, and professionals, and a four-month contextual inquiry at rural and urban computer training centers. (3/5)
35
While accessibility research often focuses on whether tools and materials are technically accessible, this work asks a deeper question: can BVI learners meaningfully acquire, practice, and transfer computing skills in their lived social, cultural, and pedagogical contexts? (2/5)
1
37
Md Javedul Ferdous retweeted
Presented our work “Examining Inclusive Computing Education for Blind Students in India” at #SIGCSE2026 @accessodu @WebSciDL @oducs
3
1
89
Title: Understanding Online Discussion Experiences of Blind Screen Reader Users (IJHCI 2025) Preprint: akshayknayak.vercel.app/Pape… DOI: doi.org/10.1080/10447318.202… Authors: @jaf_ferdous, @AkshayKNayak7 , @LunaticBugbear, @Nithiyavenkat07, @OpenMaze, Hae-Na Lee, @vikas_daveb (5/5)
3
1
129
The study highlights new design directions. Thread summaries for quick catch-up, context-aware navigation for reply chains, cleaner text for listening, and auditory cues to distinguish speakers. (4/5)
26
Many participants preferred longer, context rich posts because these restate key details and reduce the need to jump back through threads. Joining ongoing conversations was time consuming and mentally taxing, especially when replies assume context that appears much earlier. (3/5)
27
Our recent paper “Understanding Online Discussion Experiences of Blind Screen Reader Users” is based on interviews with 20 blind participants who actively use social platforms. It focuses on their lived conversational experiences, not just technical accessibility. (2/5)
29
Md Javedul Ferdous retweeted
A number of people are talking about implications of AI to schools. I spoke about some of my thoughts to a school board earlier, some highlights: 1. You will never be able to detect the use of AI in homework. Full stop. All "detectors" of AI imo don't really work, can be defeated in various ways, and are in principle doomed to fail. You have to assume that any work done outside classroom has used AI. 2. Therefore, the majority of grading has to shift to in-class work (instead of at-home assignments), in settings where teachers can physically monitor students. The students remain motivated to learn how to solve problems without AI because they know they will be evaluated without it in class later. 3. We want students to be able to use AI, it is here to stay and it is extremely powerful, but we also don't want students to be naked in the world without it. Using the calculator as an example of a historically disruptive technology, school teaches you how to do all the basic math & arithmetic so that you can in principle do it by hand, even if calculators are pervasive and greatly speed up work in practical settings. In addition, you understand what it's doing for you, so should it give you a wrong answer (e.g. you mistyped "prompt"), you should be able to notice it, gut check it, verify it in some other way, etc. The verification ability is especially important in the case of AI, which is presently a lot more fallible in a great variety of ways compared to calculators. 4. A lot of the evaluation settings remain at teacher's discretion and involve a creative design space of no tools, cheatsheets, open book, provided AI responses, direct internet/AI access, etc. TLDR the goal is that the students are proficient in the use of AI, but can also exist without it, and imo the only way to get there is to flip classes around and move the majority of testing to in class settings.
Gemini Nano Banana Pro can solve exam questions *in* the exam page image. With doodles, diagrams, all that. ChatGPT thinks these solutions are all correct except Se_2P_2 should be "diselenium diphosphide" and a spelling mistake (should be "thiocyanic acid" not "thoicyanic") :O
920
2,363
484
16,365
2,541,218
.@AkshayKNayak7 is now presenting his PhD candidacy exam, “AccessMenu: Enhancing Usability of Online Restaurant Menus for Screen Reader Users.” The work uses mmLLMs to make visual restaurant menus accessible for screen reader users. cc:/ @WebSciDL @accessodu @ODUSCI @oducs – at Norfolk, VA
3
2
264
🧵 Fall 2025 faculty: I wrote 7 pages on what you need to know about AI before classes start in a week or two—it's posted as PDF in the @Figshare service under CC-BY: link below… Here are the highlights: 1/8
1
5
1
22
1,830
Congratulations to Mohan (@mk344567) for successfully defending his dissertation! 🎉 His research introduced innovative tools that transformed how blind users efficiently navigate online discussions and reviews using screen readers. /cc @ODU @ODUSCI @oducs @accessodu @WebSciDL
1
13
1
8
595
🎉 Congratulations to Yash (@LunaticBugbear) on successfully defending his dissertation on Human–Data Interaction for blind & low-vision users. Wishing you continued success, Dr. Prakash! /cc @vikas_daveb @ODU @ODUSCI @oducs @accessodu @WebSciDL – at Norfolk, VA
11
1
12
667
GAAD 2025 at ODU wasn’t just a workshop—it was a catalyst for institutional change. With leadership buy-in and community feedback, ODU is building a culture where accessibility is everyone’s responsibility. The journey continues, and all are invited to join (5/5)
111