DESIGNING FOR AND WITH USERS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM
https://designingforautism.wordpress.com 

We invite you to take part in this parallel paper session at the Human-Computer Interaction International conference in Vancouver, Canada, 9-14 July 2017 (http://2017.hci.international/). Share your research on how interactive systems, products, environments and experiences can be designed effectively for users on the autism spectrum, how these systems can work towards autistic strengths, and how users can participate in the design process. This session is part of the conference's thematic area Design, User Experience and Usability (DUXU)

This population typically welcomes structure, both in their daily routines and their social interactions. It has been argued that interactive systems and other products should equally be designed in a clear and uncluttered way, reducing complexity. However, capabilities and individual preferences can vary widely across the autism spectrum, and what works for one group may not be universally applicable.

Further, established design practices may prove difficult to apply as users may be unable to express their preferences clearly. People with autism may also struggle with the roles typically assumed in user-centred design approaches that rely on active user involvement, participation in co-creation sessions and prototype testing.

To advance research in this area, we invite original research papers covering the design of interactive systems, products, environments and experiences for users on the autism spectrum. We particularly invite research focussing on supporting the strengths of autistic people. We also welcome submission that touch on related neurodiverse conditions, cognitive disorders and developmental conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or ADHD. 

Topics include but are not limited to:

- human-centred design approaches, e.g. participatory design or design thinking
- supporting important life transitions, e.g. from education into employment
- systems that build on autistic strengths and capabilities (rather than overcoming weaknesses)
- technology support with everyday activities
- mainstream apps or services effectively appropriated for autism support
- eliciting user needs, preferences and creativity
- product, interior and architecture design solutions that help prevent injury or getting lost
- enabling effective self-advocacy
- designing for sensory needs
- facilitating social communication, e.g. between peers or within a family
- designing for varying capabilities
- significant empirical work that informs the design of new technology
- training and educating the next generation of designers

KEY DATES
- Now: contact Marc Fabri ([log in to unmask]) to receive an invitation to submit
- 18 December 2016: Paper for review due (4 pages long)
- 18 January 2017: Author notifications
- 10 February 2017: Final paper due (10-12 pages long)
- 9-14 July 2017: HCI International in Vancouver

HOW TO SUBMIT
Please contact Marc Fabri ([log in to unmask]) to receive a personal invitation through the conference CMS. 

WHAT WE ACCEPT
Papers must report completed work with results available at the time of final submission, or be discursive papers which will generate lively discussion and interest at the conference. Proposals for new frameworks, models, methods etc. must emerge from research or practice and cannot be simply position papers. Any study involving human participants must have had approval by an Institutional Review Board or Ethics Committee.

FORMATTING INSTRUCTIONS
Papers for review must be 4 pages long and be formatted using the Springer Paper Template available from https://designingforautism.wordpress.com/call-for-papers/. You can include tables and figures. You must include references.

For full information please visit https://designingforautism.wordpress.com 

We look forward to seeing you in Vancouver in July 2017!

Marc Fabri, Leeds Beckett University, UK
Debra Satterfield, California State University Long Beach, USA

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