We are an independent research group exploring how accessibility, cognition, and interaction design intersect.
We use cognitive flow as a measure of accessibility to investigate how blind people achieve their goals; when fully immersed in work, play, or problem-solving; and how tools and environments can better support this state for everyone.
We envision a world where everyone has the opportunity for social and economic participation, ensuring that disabled individuals are included and benefit from personal and professional growth. To that end, we believe that accessibility should go beyond reducing barriers—it should create the conditions for clarity, agency, and joy. Our work aims to reframe the role of technology: not merely to be usable, but to enable intuitive, immersive, and empowering experiences that induce a sense of flow for everyone.
Our work is currently funded by Project27 Consultancy Group C.I.C. We translate our research into impact through Project27 Solutions.
Research Themes
Though the specifics of our work continue to evolve, everything we do is in pursuit of a central research enquiry: How do blind people achieve cognitive flow through tools, systems, and play—and how can accessibility design foster flow in ways that work for both blind and sighted users?
Flow-Centred Design & Haptic Learning Experiences
We evaluate and co-design tactile interactions with blind and sighted people that facilitate clear, engaging, immersive learning experiences, beyond standard accessible educational interfaces.
Representational and Productivity Tools
We investigate how blind people use data visualisations, diagrams, mind maps, mathematical expressions, code editors, to-do lists, calendars, or budgeting software for making sense of datasets and cognitive off-loading during complex tasks.
Cross-modal UX & Collaboration
We compare how sighted and blind users experience flow in equivalent tasks, such as data analysis or learning, to develop shared design principles for collaboration and collective experience.
Constructive Play & Simulations
We study how blind people experience scientific simulations, building LEGO sets, solving logic puzzles, and playing turn-based strategy games; understanding how individuals construct mental models and induce a sense of flow, especially for abstract ideas, strategy, or large-scale objects beyond direct sensory reach.
Cognitive Flow & Blindness
We explore how blind people enter and sustain states of flow in problem-solving, work, and leisure. What barriers interrupt flow, and how do accessible tools mitigate or reinforce them?
News
Keep up with the latest news about our work and our people.
Hello world! We launched our website
The Flow & Interaction Group is excited to launch our new website. We built it to make our work easier to discover, follow, and share, by students, collaborators, and anyone curious about how blind and sighted people experience flow during interaction with tactile interfaces, screen reader accessible representational systems and productivity tools, as well as play.