contact |  join |  problems
ACM Special Interest Group on Hypertext, Hypermedia and the Web ACM Conference on Universal Usability (CUU)
home > conferences > related > cuu

Conference Overview

The CUU conference is focused on understanding and guiding those elements of human-computer interface design that affect the ability of a universal collection of people to effectively use and gain benefit from computer applications. Thus, the conference accepts papers in universal accessibility such as interface designs that support screen readers for the blind, but it is also keenly interested in the social nature of accessibility. For example, CUU would like to attract research from those individuals working on the digital divide, in particular, details on the ways in which different socio-economic groups find it difficult to have access to computers and to the Internet. Computers are currently designed for the western knowledge worker with an assumption of infrastructures that support complex exchanges and a robust power supply. A cultural and cost-based redesign has the potential of bridging the digital divide. Thus, research on the nature, extent and characteristics of this gap are solicited. The conference is also interested in research on how different groups respond affectively to various interfaces and how specific applications leave users disturbed about potential invasions of privacy or control – enough so that usage is avoided or limited. A key belief in hosting this conference is that software and computers are cultural objects that have embodied in their design a set of features that clearly state “who” the software and computers are designed for. The focus of the conference is thus, to develop an understanding of how to create these cultural objects so that they speak to a universal audience.

About SIGCAPH

ACM's Special Interest Group on Computers and the Physically Handicapped, SIGCAPH, promotes the professional interests of computing professionals interested in the research and development of computing and information technology to help people. The SIG membership (from both academica and industry) focuses on the application of technology to all kinds of disabilities, including but not limited to: sensory (hearing and vision); motor (orthopedic); cognitive (learning, speech, mental); and emotional personnel with physical disabilities and the application of computing and information technology in solving relevant disability problems. The SIG also strives to educate the public to support careers for the disabled.
M: S Harper on 05 Feb 2004
C: S Harper on 27 Nov 2003