Implementing an accessible conversational user interface
Francisco Iniesto, Tim Coughlan, Kate Lister · 2021
In the ADMINS (Assistants for the Disclosure and Management of Information about Needs and Support) project, we have implemented a virtual assistant which is designed to enable students to disclose disabilities and to provide guidance and suggestions about appropriate accessible support. ADMINS explores the potential of conversational user interfaces (CUIs) to reduce administrative burden and improve outcomes, by replacing static forms with written and spoken dialogue. For the beta version of the assistant, we have carried out a trial to evaluate its accessibility and user experience (UX). Following the project's participatory-design approach, the trial sample included university students with accessibility needs and disability support advisors for its evaluation. The results included both qualitative and quantitative feedback from the participants (students and advisors) which helped to identify accessibility and UX barriers for improving the assistant's design in the next stages of the project.