"Sighted People Have Their Pick Of The Litter": Unpacking The Need For Digital Mental Health (DMH) Tracking Services With And For The Blind Community
Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The proliferation of digital mental health (DMH) tracking services promises personalized support, yet accessibility barriers limit equal access. This study investigates blind community experiences with DMH tracking services across the United States as a step toward inclusive health technology design. Working with blind advocacy organizations, we distributed a cross-sectional observational survey (n = 93) and analyzed open-ended responses using Norman and Skinner's eHealth Literacy framework. Our findings reveal significant challenges in navigation, content interpretation, and overall user experience, which impede the blind community's effective engagement with DMH tools. Results highlight the need for adaptive interfaces, accessible tracking strategies, and voice-guided interactions. These insights inform design recommendations for developers and policymakers, promoting more inclusive mental health technologies. By prioritizing accessibility, we make forward progress in ensuring that DMH tracking services fulfill their potential to support mental well-being across diverse user groups, fostering digital equality in mental health care.
Authors: Omar Khan, JooYoung Seo
Institution: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Language: English
Subfield: Human Factors and Ergonomics
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4409720902