Person-Centered Multimedia Computing: A New Paradigm Inspired by Assistive and Rehabilitative Applications

Human-centered multimedia computing (HCMC) focuses on a tight engagement of humans in the design, development, and deployment of multimedia solutions. However, people's abilities change over time due to a variety of reasons, including age, context, and geographical location. To address this challenge, the authors recently introduced the concept of person-centered multimedia computing, where the emphasis is on understanding the individual user's preferences and expectations toward designing, developing, and deploying effective solutions. Today's multimedia technology is largely geared toward the "able" population; individuals with disabilities have largely been absent in the design process and thus must adapt themselves (often unsuccessfully) to available solutions. Further, individuals with disabilities have specific and individualized requirements that necessitate a person-centered, adaptive approach to multimedia computing. Here, the authors present the person-centered multimedia computing approach inspired by assistive and rehabilitative applications.