Making Urban Art Accessible: Current Art Access Techniques, Design Considerations, and the Role of AI

TL;DR

This paper explores current techniques and design considerations for making urban public art accessible to blind and low vision individuals, emphasizing the potential of AI to improve accessibility.

Contribution

It defines public art accessibility challenges, evaluates existing techniques, and discusses how AI can enhance access to urban art for BLV people.

Findings

Existing techniques have limited transferability to urban art.

AI has potential to significantly improve urban art accessibility.

Future research directions are outlined for AI-driven accessibility solutions.

Abstract

Public artwork, from vibrant wall murals to captivating sculptures, can enhance the aesthetic of urban spaces, foster a sense of community and cultural identity, and help attract visitors. Despite its benefits, most public art is visual, making it often inaccessible to blind and low vision (BLV) people. In this workshop paper, we first draw on art literature to help define the space of public art, identify key differences with curated art shown in museums or galleries, and discuss implications for accessibility. We then enumerate how existing art accessibility techniques may (or may not) transfer to urban art spaces. We close by presenting future research directions and reflecting on the growing role of AI in making art accessible.