Improving guide dog team play with accessible dog toys

Abstract

People with vision impairment have been a longstanding well-recognized user group addressed in HCI. Despite the recent interest in studying sighted dog owners and their pets in HCI, there is a noticeable gap in the field with regards to research on visually impaired owners and their dogs (guide dog teams). This paper presents portions of an ongoing study that explores interactions of guide dog teams revealing major opportunities for focusing on challenges faced in "off-work" everyday activities. In particular, opportunities point to promoting design interventions enriching play-interaction through accessible dog toys utilizing sensor technologies. \