Collaborative Cross-Modal Interfaces

Diagrams form a key part of how we collaborate in the workplace and the home. However, the visual nature of diagrams makes them difficult to use and manipulate when people have differing perceptual resources available to them, for example, due to visual impairment, or reduced access to computing and network bandwidth. In this paper we describe the potential for cross-modal interfaces to support collaboration with diagrams when participants use a varied mix of perceptual channels. Our position is that developing tools for cross-modal collaboration will increase social and workplace inclusion.