Abstract:
We aim to make programming more adaptable and accessible for blind users by identifying the key challenges and unmet needs that require new ideas and innovation. Our main research question is: How can we better adapt programming environments, tools, and workflows to the needs of blind programmers? To investigate this question, we conducted a large-scale analysis of the Blind Programming mailing-list archive (Program-L), examining approximately 10,000 emails exchanged between March 2022 and March 2026. Using an LLM-assisted systematic thematic analysis framework, we reconstructed discussion threads, extracted keywords and accessibility-related issues, and generated candidate codes and themes grounded in the original discussions. Our analysis identifies recurring accessibility barriers, unresolved technical challenges, and common user frustrations across programming workflows, development environments, accessibility tools, and assistive technologies. The resulting findings provide an evidence-driven overview of the domains where new adaptive tools, research directions, and accessibility-focused innovations are most urgently needed to improve programming accessibility for blind individuals.
PPIG 2026 - 37th Annual Workshop
Toward Adaptive Programming Environments for Blind Developers: A Large-Scale Analysis of Community Challenges