REU accessible information and communication technologies

Award: REU Accessible Information and Communication Technologies at Gallaudet University

Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Information and Intelligent Systems

Federal Grant Program: Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CFDA 47.070)

Award Amount: $456,342.00 | Award Date: June 15, 2025 | Completion Date: May 31, 2028

This Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site award supports a research initiative at Gallaudet University that engages undergraduate students with diverse auditory abilities in human-centered research experiences focused on the accessibility of information and communication technologies (ICT). The program delivers comprehensive research training and mentorship, guiding participants through the complete research process from project ideation to presentation. Students participate in collaborative research teams composed of undergraduates and faculty/staff researchers with varying auditory abilities, enabling investigation into accessible ICT solutions and user experience design for individuals regardless of their hearing capabilities.

The award supports the development of new research collaborations among investigators and partner institutions while building a community of scholars and practitioners dedicated to accessible technology. Through this initiative, participants receive career mentorship and guidance, with research outcomes intended to inform practical ICT accessibility solutions and strengthen research pipelines in computer science and engineering. No subawards are planned for this project, with all work to be conducted at the awardee institution in Washington, DC.

Abstract

The research experiences for undergraduates (REU) site on accessible information and communication technology (aict) at gallaudet university engages a group of students with a range of auditory abilities in human-centered research experiences that investigate the accessibility of information and communications technologies (ICT). As ICT becomes more pervasive, a crucial challenge is to provide a high quality user experience to people regardless of their auditory abilities, by training the next generation of people who have diverse auditory abilities. Students will learn about accessible ICT, engage in the research process from ideation to presentations, and join a community of scholars and practitioners who will provide career advice and mentorship. The REU projects will form the basis for new collaborations among the investigators and other collaborators at the students' home institutions. The teams of undergraduate and faculty/staff researchers with diverse auditory abilities increases recognition of the range and complexity of needs by users with diverse auditory abilities and possible ICT solutions. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.