Federal Grant Award Summary

Northeastern University received a $410,869 Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Computing and Communication Foundations under the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) program (CFDA 47.070) to develop AI-augmented creativity support tools designed for nonvisual interaction. The five-year initiative, effective June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2031, addresses a critical accessibility gap by creating digital collaboration tools that enable blind and visually impaired users to participate equally in creative work alongside sighted colleagues. Existing creativity support platforms such as digital whiteboards and collaborative document editors rely heavily on visual elements, effectively excluding users dependent on nonvisual assistive technologies like screen readers. This research will deliver innovative tools that leverage artificial intelligence to move beyond visual-centric design paradigms and support nonvisual ideation, enabling blind individuals to generate, express, and refine ideas with the same ease as their sighted peers.

The project will advance empirical, technical, and conceptual knowledge of nonvisual creativity support tools through multiple interconnected research threads, including interviews, field observations, and content analysis to identify barriers and facilitators to blind individuals' creative participation. By expanding access to modern creative collaboration tools, this effort addresses the significant employment disparity affecting blind Americans—who face a 47.7% unemployment rate compared to 13% for sighted individuals—and contributes to workforce development in creative fields essential to U.S. economic competitiveness. The research outputs are expected to benefit broader populations beyond blind users, including individuals with lower literacy levels and those seeking more flexible, audio-friendly design alternatives.