Driving Accessibility: Shifting the Narrative & Design of Automated Vehicle Systems for Persons With Disabilities Through a Collaborative Scoring System

TL;DR

This paper advocates for an inclusive design approach in automated vehicles, emphasizing collaboration and a scoring system to better serve persons with disabilities and overcome existing accessibility barriers.

Contribution

It introduces a collaborative scoring rubric to guide manufacturers in designing accessible automated vehicles, shifting from reactive to proactive inclusive innovation.

Findings

Analysis of current AV systems and accessibility gaps

Development of a collaborative scoring rubric for inclusive design

Identification of policy gaps affecting accessibility

Abstract

Automated vehicles present unique opportunities and challenges, with progress and adoption limited, in part, by policy and regulatory barriers. Underrepresented groups, including individuals with mobility impairments, sensory disabilities, and cognitive conditions, who may benefit most from automation, are often overlooked in crucial discussions on system design, implementation, and usability. Despite the high potential benefits of automated vehicles, the needs of Persons with Disabilities are frequently an afterthought, considered only in terms of secondary accommodations rather than foundational design elements. We aim to shift automated vehicle research and discourse away from this reactive model and toward a proactive and inclusive approach. We first present an overview of the current state of automated vehicle systems. Regarding their adoption, we examine social and technical barriers and advantages for Persons with Disabilities. We analyze existing regulations and policies concerning automated vehicles and Persons with Disabilities, identifying gaps that hinder accessibility. To address these deficiencies, we introduce a scoring rubric intended for use by manufacturers and vehicle designers. The rubric fosters direct collaboration throughout the design process, moving beyond an `afterthought` approach and towards intentional, inclusive innovation. This work was created by authors with varying degrees of personal experience within the realm of disability.