News, events, and resources
Happy New Year, AURC Family!
Winter 2026
This Winter season brings in new research opportunities with the Accessibility User Research Collective (AURC). We are thrilled to continue working with you all on research for assistive technology, usability, and accessibility to help make products accessible for all!
The Accessibility User Research Collective is a national network of people with diverse backgrounds, stories, and needs for accessible products and services. The AURC is operated by the User Experience and Usability Research Lab at Shepherd Center.
We’re excited to share that the AURC website has a new look and a new link! The updated site is now integrated within Shepherd Center’s website. Be sure to check it out: The Accessibility User Research Collective | Shepherd Center.
Thank you for contributing to our mission and being a valued member of the AURC community!
News for you
- 41st Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference from March 9-13! California State University at Northridge’s (CSUN) Center on Disabilities will be hosting their annual conference in Anaheim, California. This event showcases the latest in technology and accessibility for people with disabilities by bringing together researchers, educators, practitioners, and exhibitors from all around the world. For those who live nearby, the Exhibit Hall is free to attend. Learn more here: CSUN Exhibit Hall Details. AURC team members will be in attendance. If you will be attending CSUN, please let us know! We’d love to meet you!
- GAAD Resource Fair at Shepherd Center: Atlanta locals, we hope you can join us at Shepherd Center’s free to attend Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) Resource Fair on May 20! The event will take place from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in the 7th Floor Auditorium and will feature food and beverages, interactive resource booths, and a guest speaker at noon. More details will be provided in the AURC’s Spring 2026 Newsletter coming out in April. If you’re interested in joining and need accommodations (e.g., ASL interpreter, sighted guide, etc.), please email delaney.cowart@shepherd.org. Stay tuned and we look forward to seeing you there!
- CES 2026: Accessibility, Innovation, and Disability-Informed Design
During the first week of January, AURC Director John Morris and researchers Delaney Cowart and Maryam Kenning attended CES 2026 in Las Vegas, where they connected with friends, partners, and clients to discuss accessibility, user experience research, and the importance of centering feedback from people with disabilities throughout the technology development process. The team also got an early look at innovative technologies launching in 2026 and observed a growing emphasis on disability-informed design that encourages designers and engineers to include the lived experiences of people with disabilities into the development cycle. Conversations around digital equity were prominent, with major tech companies expanding accessibility discussions to include connectivity and access to assistive technology. Stay tuned to see, and potentially test, some new tech coming soon. - Shepherd Center x Georgia Institute of Technology Collaborative Research Effort on Stroke Rehabilitation: AURC researchers have partnered with experts with the Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS) at Georgia Tech to study the use of home-based monitoring technology as a method to improve the transition from hospital to home for stroke survivors. We are currently recruiting people who have had a stroke with the past 5 years to participate in a brief survey that is part of Phase 1 of this study. If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please email maryam.kenning@shepherd.org.
Winter 2026 disability-related calendar
January
- Glaucoma Awareness Month
- 4th – World Braille Day
- 30th – Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Awareness Day
February
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Low Vision Awareness Month
- 2nd – Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day
- 2nd – 8th – White Cane Week
- 10th – International Epilepsy Day
- 28th – Rare Disease Day
March
- Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
- Brain Injury Awareness Month
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month
- National Developmental Disabilities Month
- 1st – International Wheelchair Day
- 3rd – World Hearing Day
- 3rd – International Dyscalculia Awareness Day
- 17th – 23rd – Neurodiversity Celebration Week
- 21st – World Down Syndrome Day
- 25th – National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day
Member spotlight: Jennifer Beilis
Jennifer Beilis is a hard-of-hearing author, educator, and advocate who teaches American Sign Language at the college level. She is passionate about empowering others and helping people build confidence, resilience, and self-advocacy skills.
Jennifer is the author of Hear I Am and Making Positive Changes, guided journals that support personal growth through reflective prompts focused on mindset, self-esteem, mental health, career, education, and disability advocacy. Her books are available in print and eBook formats through major platforms, with an audiobook version of Making Positive Changes that is now available on Spotify.
She holds a master’s degree in Education and Deafness Rehabilitation from NYU and offers motivational and disability awareness seminars for businesses, schools, and libraries, using her lived experience to inspire positive change. You can find more about Jennifer and her work here.
Jennifer’s books are also available on Amazon and Spotify. Take a look!
AURC program updates
Recently completed and current projects
Landscape Mode vs. Portrait Mode – Phase 2: The AURC recently completed Phase 2 of a study examining differences in accessibility between landscape and portrait modes in a restaurant mobile app. 12 participants with a range of disabilities took part in remote usability testing sessions. They shared deeper insights into how their functional limitations influence their preferences for landscape mode and how those preferences impact the overall user experience. Participants also evaluated an app that’s under development for a major quick service restaurant and offered valuable feedback to help improve the app’s accessibility and usability.
Professional Development Platform: 10 participants with different disabilities participated in user testing for a professional development platform that integrates AI into learning new career skills. Participants shared feedback on ways to improve the platform’s accessibility, usability, and overall experience, including how AI features could be more effectively implemented. These insights will help create a more streamlined, inclusive platform that works better for all users.
Online Dating App Accessibility: The AURC has launched a new project with a popular dating app focused on improving the online dating experience for people with disabilities. 10 participants with disabilities are participating in accessibility-focused usability testing to evaluate the app’s overall user experience. The goal of this research is to identify accessibility gaps, inform product teams with actionable insights, and drive meaningful improvements to make the platform more inclusive.
Appliance Accessibility Survey: We recently completed data collection for one of our largest surveys of 2025! The Appliance Accessibility Survey explored accessibility barriers people may encounter when using certain household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and TVs. Thank you to the 339 AURC members who displayed interest in this research effort; we are incredibly grateful to everyone who responded and shared their experiences.
Additional accessibility resources
We are happy to share resources to help you learn more about accessibility resources and services.
- Follow us on LinkedIn: AURC LinkedIn
Spread the word about the AURC! Share this newsletter and tell friends to visit us and join the collective: The Accessibility User Research Collective | Shepherd Center.