Understanding the Video Content Creation Journey of Creators with Sensory Impairment in Kenya

2025-09-09

AI Summary

This study investigates how visually and hearing-impaired video creators in Kenya navigate accessibility barriers and infrastructural constraints in low-resource settings. Employing in-depth interviews, qualitative thematic analysis, and a survey of AI tool adoption, the research examines collaborative workflows, technological accessibility, and human–AI co-creation mechanisms. Findings reveal that creators dynamically bridge sensory gaps through trusted interpersonal networks and emerging AI tools—maintaining creative agency while reconfiguring collaboration practices. Based on these insights, the study proposes a phased, collaborative video production model grounded in a “human-centered” principle for inclusive AI design. The work extends technical support frameworks for disabled creators in the Global South and contributes a transferable design paradigm and practical guidelines for accessible content creation under resource-constrained conditions. (149 words)

Technology Category

• Humans and AI: AI for Accessibility
• Computer Vision: Video Understanding & Activity Analysis
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Computational Creativity

Application Category

• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy
• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Fairness and ethical considerations in crowd work and in human-in-the-loop AI systems
• Social Networks and Social Media: Generative AI / large language models and their impact on social systems

Abstract

Video content creation offers vital opportunities for expression and participation, yet remains largely inaccessible to creators with sensory impairments, especially in low-resource settings. We conducted interviews with 20 video creators with visual and hearing impairments in Kenya to examine their tools, challenges, and collaborative practices. Our findings show that accessibility barriers and infrastructural limitations shape video creation as a staged, collaborative process involving trusted human partners and emerging AI tools. Across workflows, creators actively negotiated agency and trust, maintaining creative control while bridging sensory gaps. We discuss the need for flexible, interdependent collaboration models, inclusive human-AI workflows, and diverse storytelling practices. This work broadens accessibility research in HCI by examining how technology and social factors intersect in low-resource contexts, suggesting ways to better support disabled creators globally.

Problem

• Understanding video creation challenges for sensory impaired creators
• Examining tools and collaborative practices in low-resource settings
• Addressing accessibility barriers through human-AI workflow solutions

Innovation

• Collaborative human-AI workflows
• Flexible interdependent collaboration models
• Inclusive storytelling practices