Beyond Cell by Cell: Enhancing Spreadsheets for Blind Users

Spreadsheets have become an indispensable tool in the workplace and education. They are primarily accessed by blind users through the use of screen readers, which face numerous accessibility and usability challenges that hinder productivity and independence. My research aims to better understand these challenges, explore the design space for potential AI-based assistance, and propose design guidelines for more accessible and usable applications.

Transcript:

Spreadsheets have become an essential tool in our work and education. But for blind people, using spreadsheets can be challenging as they rely on a software called a screen reader. It reads information cell by cell as they navigate using keyboard arrow keys. $18,500 C5, $36,000 C6. This interaction requires more time and effort to find and understand data, which can be frustrating and cognitively demanding. And often, they have to rely on sighted assistance. Our project is exploring how this experience can be improved using generative AI. What if they could talk or chat with their spreadsheets to get the information they need! 

We're investigating how AI can assist blind people in enhancing productivity and independence.