Background: Software engineering requires both technical skills and creative problem-solving. Blind and low-vision software professionals (BLVSPs) encounter numerous workplace challenges, including inaccessible tools and collaboration hurdles with sighted colleagues. Objective: This study explores the innovative strategies employed by BLVSPs to overcome these accessibility barriers, focusing on their custom solutions and the importance of supportive communities. Methodology: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 BLVSPs and used reflexive thematic analysis to identify key themes. Results: Findings reveal that BLVSPs are motivated to develop creative and adaptive solutions, highlighting the vital role of collaborative communities in fostering shared problem-solving. Conclusion: For BLVSPs, creative problem-solving is essential for navigating inaccessible work environments, in contrast to sighted peers, who pursue optimization. This study enhances understanding of how BLVSPs navigate accessibility challenges through innovation.
@article{arxiv.2501.19380,
title = {Creative Problem-Solving: A Study with Blind and Low Vision Software Professionals},
author = {Karina Kohl and Yoonha Cha and Victoria Jackson and Stacy Branham and André van der Hoek and Rafael Prikladnicki},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2501.19380},
year = {2025}
}
Comments
Pre-print of accepted paper for CHASE 2025 (18th International Conference on Cooperative and Human Aspects of Software Engineering)