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Crip Haptic Jam: Vibrotactile Composition for Disability-Centered Dance.
IEEE Transactions on Haptics
|July 2, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a disability-centered wearable haptic system for dance improvisation. The system supports open-ended vibrotactile interaction, enabling creative expression and remote participation for dancers.
Area of Science:
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Dance Studies
- Disability Studies
Background:
- Traditional wearable haptic systems for dance often assume normative bodies and use touch prescriptively.
- Existing systems may not adequately support diverse embodied experiences in dance creation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a disability-centered haptic system designed for open-ended vibrotactile interaction in dance improvisation.
- To explore how shared vibrotactile sensation can support disability-centering approaches in dance creation.
Main Methods:
- Co-creative design process with disabled dancers over four sessions.
- Development of a modular, flower-shaped wearable and a real-time graphical interface.
- Evaluation through usability study, qualitative artistic evaluation, and public participatory performance.
Main Results:
- The system enables dancers and choreographers to author, record, and remix vibrotactile sequences.
- Demonstrated support for improvisation, remote participation, and affective co-presence.
- Highlighted the potential of shared vibrotactile sensation in inclusive dance practices.
Conclusions:
- The developed haptic system effectively supports disability-centered dance creation through open-ended vibrotactile interaction.
- Shared vibrotactile experiences can foster relational sensing and affective co-presence in dance improvisation.
- Emphasizes the importance of embodied and community-centered research in designing assistive technologies for the arts.
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