Kevin Buffardi

Research Interests:

• Adaptive Learning Technology
• Software Testing
• Computer Science Education

CURE-E Course: Programming and Algorithms I (CSCI 111), first introduced with CURE-E in Fall 2020

Project Title: Innovating Accessibility Software in an Introductory Programming Course

Color blindness is common, affecting roughly 10% of the population, but the digital design often neglects how/if people with color blindness can interpret images. Limited color blind-safe palettes have been created by artists, but there is little offered in terms of widescale solutions. Students will develop algorithms that provide solutions to creating charts and graphs that are accessible to people with colorblindness, including (but not limited to):

• Converting images to simulate what they look like to people with colorblindness
• Generating colorblind-safe color palettes, based on a given number of colors needed, or a given main color for the palette
• Evaluate an image or style specification to identify problematic color combinations

Although some preliminary research and development has been done for self-diagnosing various forms of color blindness, there need to be algorithms developed to automate color palette selection and analysis. The project will span roughly the duration of the semester, with three intermediate deliverables.