Enriched human-centered multimedia computing through inspirations from disabilities and deficit centered computing solutions

The paradigm of human-centered multimedia computing (HCMC) has emerged recently as a result of the increasing emphasis on integrating the concept of human-centeredness in various aspects of multimedia computing. While many theories have been proposed to advance this paradigm, it is our belief that a complete understanding of the issues surrounding HCMC requires capturing a complementary (yet enriching) perspective through inspirations drawn from studying human disabilities and deficits. In this paper, we present the need for understanding human deficiencies in sensory, neural, and cognitive sensing/actuations which could reveal innate components of human interaction that benefits researchers, designers and developers of new multimedia solutions. We illustrate how technologies that were started with assistive and rehabilitative goals have broader impacts to the general population. More importantly, this opens up new research issues that would otherwise not have been seen when the focus is only on the “able” population. The study and understanding of the disabilities and deficits leads to a better understanding of human requirements in any human machine interaction which is important in advancing the vision and core principles of HCMC.