Type of Project: Funded project Study Scientific Work Implementation project
Easy Reading - Keeping the user at the digital original

Most websites are difficult to access for people with cognitive disabilities. The needs of these users are not fully covered by the current accessibility guidelines. And the developers of websites and other digital resources are often unfamiliar with the specific needs of this user group.
It is an important aspect of inclusion that information is equally accessible to all people with and without disabilities. And while training developers on accessibility is important, it will take some time before every website is accessible.
In the Easing Reading project, a software framework is being developed that supports users with cognitive disabilities when visiting existing websites. The Easy Reading Framework is installed as a browser plug-in or is available as a web app for mobile devices. With the help of the tools integrated into the framework, web content can be adapted to the individual needs of users in real time.
The software offers these (partially) automated support functions through the use of HCI techniques such as pop-ups, text-to-speech (TTS), subtitling by mouseover or eye-tracking. With the help of the tracking functions, eye movements and heart rate, it can be determined, among other things, whether the user is experiencing cognitive stress. In such cases, the Easy Reading Framework proactively offers support through the tools corresponding to the user profile.
The Easy Reading Framework is developed as a cloud based, freely available open source solution and is therefore also available for further use and further development after the end of the project.
The participative development with cognitive disabilities constitutes an important methodological basis of the project. People with cognitive disabilities are involved in all project phases as co-researchers and co-designers. This ensures that the requirements of the target group are taken into account in every development phase.
Since there is currently no comprehensive methodology for the participatory research and development of digital resources together with people with cognitive disabilities, the project will develop methods and procedures that can facilitate the participation of this target group in future development projects.