In Ghana people who struggle to articulate speech as a result of different conditions experience barriers in interacting with others due to difficulties in being understood. Automatic speech recognition software can be used to help listeners understand people with communication difficulties. However, studies have not looked at the practical feasibility of these technologies beyond the Global North. We present a novel user study examining the introduction of one such technology, Google Project Relate, to Ghana. This freely available mobile application can create personalised speech recognition models in English for non-standard speech to support communication. Our user study spans the training of local speech and language therapists and 20 people with communication difficulties. We utilise the Technology Amplification Theory to contribute insights on the need for technological adaptations, awareness and support to reduce differential gaps of access, capacity and motivation to expand the reach of these technologies rather than exacerbating inequalities.
doi.org/10.1145/3613904.3641903
Although listening to community voice is a core value in HCI4D, we have limited methods to capture the community voice of marginalized groups within disadvantaged communities. Working with NGOs and 24 marginalized women farmers in Bangladesh, we promoted psychological safety and empowerment through our configuration of the process. Our stakeholders decided to record and produce a radio-style audio recording that presented their counter-collective narratives for development projects. We reflect on this process using the Benefits of Community Voice framework to document rich insights into community contexts, lived experiences, local knowledge, and building trust and buy-in and through interviews with three NGO workers. We discuss the fundamental need of stakeholders for a safe place to share, the value of letting stakeholders guide method selection, the significance of counter-collective narratives, the benefits of participatory audio to hear community voices for democratizing and sustaining development and design implications of our work for HCI4D.
doi.org/10.1145/3613904.3642532
While Israeli suppression of Palestinian voices is well-understood, much less is known about the Palestinian authorities’ repression of Palestinians – the very people they are supposed to represent. This paper investigates digital repression by Hamas and the Pales- tinian Authority through semi-structured interviews – in-person and online – with 19 Palestinian activists who post on social media. Many of our findings echo those from other repressive contexts, but the unusual Palestinian context also gives rise to several unique elements. For example, Palestinian authorities, while incorporating some high-tech methods, appear to rely primarily on a low-tech, labor-intensive apparatus to monitor, intimidate, and censor their targets, some of which involves highly personalized forms of repres- sion. We also heard credible accusations of Palestinian authorities’ collaboration with Iranian and Israeli governments, the latter typ- ically viewed as an adversary by Palestinians. We consider the implications of these findings and offer recommendations both for activists and social media platforms.
doi.org/10.1145/3613904.3642422
Mental health well-being is a global concern, with disparities in treatment services being a challenge. Though, digital mental health interventions are proposed to bridge the gaps and supplement support and assistance. Yet, many individuals still struggle with mental health issues, particularly in regions encountering socio-political unrest, and face obstacles in seeking professional assistance. Situating our work in Kashmir, India, a region with a long history of socio-political unrest, we conducted 18 semi-structured interviews with participants seeking professional support to explore how individuals navigate mental health and professional help-seeking. Our findings identify the struggles in seeking support rooted in the context through socio-political and socio-cultural influences, strategies and methods adopted to navigate these struggles, and the role of technology in seeking support. Using a social-ecological approach to mental health care, we emphasize accounting for the socio-political realities that shape support-seeking in politically disturbed contexts and offer socio-technical design recommendations.
doi.org/10.1145/3613904.3642507
COPD is an incurable Chronic Respiratory Disease that results in restricted airflow and respiratory issues. India faces rising pollution and health infrastructure challenges, significantly contributing to the prevalence of respiratory diseases like COPD. Studies have reported that COPD is India's second leading cause of death and Disability Adjusted Life Years. Our study delves into the current state of COPD care and awareness in India. Our mixed-methods research, encompassing online surveys with medical personnel (n=9) and individuals (n=141) and semi-structured interviews (n=13) with various stakeholders (patients, doctors and caregivers), revealed a noteworthy lack of COPD awareness amongst the public, consequently affecting the COPD diagnosis, treatment and management strategies. We further explored how COPD affects patients' self-perception and quality of life while identifying the barriers to COPD care. Finally, we conclude with design recommendations for technology-based interventions which can support the management of COPD patients in the Indian context.
doi.org/10.1145/3613904.3642504