Accessibility Research Across Borders: Collaboration and Community Building in Accessibility and ICTD Research.

Collaboration and community building are crucial for equitable participation in research, especially in disability and accessibility research fields. Engaging with communities of disabled individuals helps understand their unique challenges, expectations, and needs, which should be reflected in assistive technology design. However, a gap exists between research in resource-rich societies and the practices of low-resource settings, where socio-economic and infrastructural constraints are often overlooked. Conversely, the innovation and sustainable solutions in these settings are often not fully utilized globally. Our workshop will explore how collaboration and inclusive research practices can inform the development of affordable assistive technologies across borders, particularly in resource-limited contexts, aiming to leverage local expertise, fabrication tools, and global partnerships for sustainable solutions. By fostering global collaboration, community-driven research, and sustainable innovation, we aim to bridge the accessibility research gap and create scalable solutions that enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities worldwide.