VKC Special Lecture: Designing Multi-User Collaboration and Learning Technology for Neurodiverse Groups
Presented by Annuska Zolyomi, Ph.D., Assistant Teaching Professor, Bothell School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, University of Washington
How would a neurodiverse-friendly collaboration tool behave? Dr. Zolyomi's research is focused on answering this question by designing technology user experiences that give more agency to neurodivergent individuals and reduce the effort required to bridge communication and learning gaps. In this talk, she will give examples of ways technology can help mitigate social, emotional, and sensory tensions. She will discuss how applying a participatory sensemaking lens to collaboration can help us find new ways technology can scaffold the group as a whole, thus, lessening burdens on the neurodivergent individual. Dr. Zolyomi will also share my approach, based on research guidelines from the autism community, to co-designing with neurodivergent young adults. She will close by discussing opportunities to connect design approaches, learning sciences, and the real-world needs of neurodiverse groups.
About the Speaker: Dr. Annuska Zolyomi is an Assistant Teaching Professor at the University of Washington (UW) Bothell. She teaches user-centered design and software engineering in the Computing & Software Systems Division. Through research and the design of inclusive digital interventions, her work seeks to combat barriers faced by disabled people. Her deep knowledge of human-computer interaction, accessible technology, and design has been recognized by the ACM Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) and the ACM Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS). Before earning her Ph.D. in Information Science and M.S. in Human-Centered Design and Engineering, she worked in the technology industry as a consultant and, at Microsoft, as an accessibility product strategist. Her cross-company influence on technology innovation resulted in four patents in human-computer interaction and a re-design of the Windows accessibility control panel.
Please register to attend this lecture in-person using the link above. There is a virtual option as well. Click here to register for the Zoom link.