Design Requirements for Inclusive Assistive Technologies: Facilitating Communication Between the Deaf and the Hearing

Abstract

Communication plays a pivotal role in our society and, for many, relates to oral communication. Deaf people have always relied on sign-based communication and sign languages. However, for the last two centuries, they have been deprived of equal participation opportunities in a world designed for the Hearing. Targeting the communication barrier between the Deaf and the Hearing, this article aims to develop design requirements for an assistive technology that operates at the intersection between sign language and spoken language, facilitating communication at eye level. The opportunities provided by interdisciplinary development and new technological means allow us to envision a new generation of assistive technologies that foster inclusion instead of creating artificial hierarchies. We employ a Design Science Research approach incorporating a literature review, a web-content analysis, and interviews. We present 18 functional design requirements, eight UI and UX requirements, and nine requirements for the development process.