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Call for Papers: User Modeling for Accessibility Online Symposium 15 July 2013

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Call for Papers: User Modeling for Accessibility
Online Symposium 15 July 2013

Invitation

The W3C WAI Research and Development Working Group (RDWG) invites you to contribute to the online symposium on User Modeling for Accessibility.

  • Symposium date: 15 July 2013
  • Abstract submission date: 06 June 2013

Accepted papers will be published online in an attributable form as part of the symposium proceedings. Authors of accepted papers will be invited to participate in the symposium panel.

Introduction

User models enhance accessibility by generating or adapting user interfaces to address particular user needs and preferences. Different approaches have been taken in this field but further research and development is necessary, in particular to address questions on interoperability and portability of user models.

This symposium will bring together researchers, practitioners, and users with disabilities, to explore new and on-going research and analyze past research experiences related to the design, creation, storage and usage of User Modeling for Accessibility. The goal is to discuss different approaches and applications of user modeling (such as declarative and ontology based) and their potential usage in accessibility of information systems, and to explore next steps to promote the implementation of user modeling technologies in mainstream information systems such as user agents, web applications, authoring tools, and other components. Privacy and users' control of their data are crucial aspects in user modeling and contributions on these topics are particularly welcome.

See the main User Modeling for Accessibility Symposium page for more Background, User Group, and Objectives.

Important Dates

  • 06 June 2013: Deadline for paper submissions
  • 19 June 2013: Author notifications
  • 28 June 2013: Deadline for final HTML publication-ready paper submissions
  • 01 July 2013: Registration opens
  • 15 July 2013: Online symposium event, probably 15:00-17:00 UTC

Scope

Users: The primary focus is on users with disabilities. However, other users may also be addressed, such as older users with age-related accessibility needs.

Tools: The main focus is on research and developed applications of adaptive, customizable and personalized systems allowing/enabling/facilitating access to web related ICT products and services for people with disabilities through user modeling technologies.

Technologies: The focus is on technologies used for building user models and storing user profile information. This also includes technologies for exchanging user profile information and taking care of potential privacy concerns.

Standards: The focus is mainly on standards for user models describing accessibility related information. However, standards for user models in other domains that also cover accessibility issues are within the scope of the symposium.

Contributions

We invite researchers, practitioners, users, and others to submit research and position papers that address the following issues and challenges:

  • User modeling technological challenges
    • What are the most common formats (declarative, semantic web based) used for data storage of user profiles? (advantages/disadvantages)
    • How interoperable are existing models and profiles for users with disabilities?
    • What are the most common technologies for exchanging profile information between different models? (advantages/disadvantages)
    • What are the most common techniques for calibration / validation?
  • Gaps and challenges in user models for accessibility
    • Which groups of users lack sufficient research on user needs so that user models can cover them?
    • Which groups of users are already covered by existing models?
    • Can we transfer knowledge on user needs in between groups?
    • Can we transfer knowledge on user needs from user models used in other domains? (e.g. e-learning)
  • Standardization issues
    • What models/standards exist for modeling users with disabilities?
    • How do models/standards from other domains take care of accessibility issues?
    • What can we be taught from user modeling standardization actions in other domains?
    • What are the challenges in integrating accessibility information in those models/standards?
  • Adoption issues
    • What are the most common problems in adopting user modeling solutions for accessibility?
    • What are the main privacy issues?
    • What are the challenges in control of users over their profile information and exposure?

We particularly welcome submissions that describe:

  • Empirical (lab-based or ethnographic) studies.
  • Evaluations of system utilizing user models.
  • Specific recommendations for design, development and usage of user models

Paper Submission

Paper submission closes on 06 June 2013.

Papers should be extended abstracts of about 1,000 words. We encourage concise contributions that are scientifically sound with appropriate references. Papers should clearly explain the:

  • Problem addressed
  • Relevant background
  • Approach - how was the problem addressed, what methodologies were used, what strategies were pursued to address the problem
  • Challenges - major obstacles or difficulties found during the process or that could be encountered in the way forward
  • Outcomes
  • Future research

Papers must be submitted in the template provided, be valid HTML, and meet WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

Review Process

Contributions will be reviewed by the Scientific Committee and each paper will get at least two/three independent reviews for criteria including relevance, clarity, soundness and power of the arguments and contribution to knowledge about user modeling for accessibility. Papers will be accepted based on this criteria and space availability.

Copyright Policy

Accepted papers will be published online in an attributable form as part of the symposium proceedings.
(For more information, see the FAQ sections RDWG Publications and RDWG Practice for Writership and Credits.)

The Symposium Report will be published under the W3C Document License. Paper authors shall grant W3C a perpetual, non-exclusive, royalty-free, world-wide right and license to copy, publish, use, and modify the contribution and to distribute the contribution under a Berkley Shell Distribution - BSD License or one with more restrictive terms, as well as a right and license of the same scope to any derivative works prepared by the W3C and based on, or incorporating all or part of the contribution. The Contributor further agrees that any derivative works of this contribution prepared by the W3C shall be solely owned by the W3C.

Symposium Chairs

Scientific Committee