From Inclusive Theatre to Inclusive Technologies: Lessons Learnt From Co-designing Touch Tours With an Inclusive Theatre Group

Tzanidou, A., Abosaleh, A. H. S., Lindsay, S. , Durrant, A. C. and Vlachokyriakos, V. (2023) From Inclusive Theatre to Inclusive Technologies: Lessons Learnt From Co-designing Touch Tours With an Inclusive Theatre Group. In: 2023 ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference (DIS '23), Pittsburgh, PA, USA, 10-14 Jul 2023, pp. 1367-1382. ISBN 9781450398930 (doi: 10.1145/3563657.3596094)

Abstract

The HCI community has attempted to understand the role theatre can play in systems design, but the ways inclusive design methodologies could benefit from inclusive theatre are underexamined. To better understand inclusive theatre practices for technology design, we worked with the first professional inclusive theatre ensemble in Greece, which faced difficulties due to social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic. In this paper, we attempt to better understand inclusion within such theatre practices through the co-designing of a prototype digital system for Touch Tours, an experience through touch service. We conducted a series of research through design activities with the group, building on eighteen months of ethnographic research. Our goal was to develop a service based on their practices. We contribute design implications for inclusive services, with respect to equity in experience, which enhance the activistic character of the movement, and HCI research concerned with developing technologies that support inclusion.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Additional Information: This research was funded by the EPSRC CDT in Digital Civics (EP/L016176/1).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Lindsay, Dr Stephen
• Authors: Tzanidou, A., Abosaleh, A. H. S., Lindsay, S., Durrant, A. C., and Vlachokyriakos, V.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Computing Science
• ISBN: 9781450398930
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Proceedings of the 2023 ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference (DIS '23): 1367-1382
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License