TU Delft-led research project aims to break down barriers for the 1 in 4 Dutch affected by disabilities
At least 87 million Europeans – almost one in five - are thought to have disabilities 1. Here in the Netherlands, a quarter of the Dutch population experiences challenges in everyday life because of long-term disabilities, including visual, hearing, cognitive and social disabilities.
From deaf people without access to sign language interpreters during medical appointments to visually impaired people unable to access the full richness of museum or library collections, even though disabilities are relatively common, those affected regularly encounter problems when trying to access or share information. Ultimately, this can lead to social inequality and exclusion. Ahead of the introduction of the European Union’s Accessibility Act in June 2025, a new and unique research project aims to change this.
TACIT: access unimpaired
TACIT is a five-year, 3.2 million Euro NWO research programme focused on Inclusive Technologies for Access and Social Participation. Led by TU Delft, the project involves researchers from six academic institutions and stakeholders from a rich range of public and private organisations with a special interest in accessibility.
Researchers will develop new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality, which makes digital services more accessible to people with disabilities.
Access for all
Prior efforts to design for inclusivity have often fallen short. Himanshu Verma, Assistant Professor of Human-Centered AI at TU Delft’s Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering explains: “Unfortunately, accessibility is often an afterthought in the design of technologies and services. In other cases, accessibility is designed as a "one-size-fits-all" measure, which has not been found to be trusted or socially acceptable by citizens with disabilities.”
In contrast, the TACIT research programme comprises five different use cases, each focussing on one of the four disability groups within scope (visual, hearing, cognitive, social). Each of these use cases will explore technologies appropriate to the specific users. Moreover, all cases will align on design choices, ensuring that the wide spectrum of disabilities are taken into account.
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Unfortunately, accessibility is often an afterthought in the design of technologies and services. In other cases, accessibility is designed as a "one-size-fits-all" measure, which has not been found to be trusted or socially acceptable by citizens with disabilities.
Moving away from the traditional practice of well-meaning, able-bodied researchers creating solutions for people with disabilities, the TACIT research project will pioneer inclusive co-design methodologies.
Human-Computer Interaction breaking down digital barriers
For the first time, this project brings together the Netherlands’ experts in Human Computer Interaction (HCI), a well-established interdisciplinary field that combines a deep understanding of people with the development of new digital technologies.
TU Delft’s Professor Alessandro Bozzon says: “In the Netherlands we are blessed with a growing community of experts working in Human Computer Interaction. In TACIT, by combining and pioneering HCI and co-design methodologies, we will gather the nuanced insights needed to shape tech that invites all people in, rather than locking those with disabilities out.”
In the Netherlands we are blessed with a growing community of experts working in Human Computer Interaction. In TACIT, by combining and pioneering HCI and co-design methodologies, we will gather the nuanced insights needed to shape tech that invites all people in, rather than locking those with disabilities out.
The team of TU Delft researchers brings together members from the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (Alessandro Bozzon, Stella Boess and Himanshu Verma) and the Faculty of Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (Jie Yang and Pablo Cesar). They combine expertise in human-centered AI, generative AI, Human-Computer Interaction, Extended Reality (XR), co-design and inclusive design.
About the TACIT Consortium
Project leader: prof. dr. ir. Alessandro Bozzon (TU Delft)
Knowledge institutes: Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Amsterdam, University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Utrecht University
Other social partners: Koninklijke Bibliotheek, Nederlands Instituut voor Beeld & Geluid, Stichting Kickstart.AI, Koninklijke Auris Groep, Nederlands Gebarencentrum, Stichting Accessibility
Over Perspectief
Perspectief is an NWO programme funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and executed by the NWO domain Applied and Engineering Sciences.
The objective of Perspectief is to (further) develop innovative technologies that strengthen the (international) positioning of the Dutch knowledge and innovation system. These technologies contribute to solutions for societal challenges and can simultaneously contribute to our economy.
The Perspectief programme aligns with the five societal themes and the deployment of key technologies and digitalisation from the mission-driven innovation policy of the Dutch government.
Generative AI’s interpretation of a person who is blind reading a book falls short. The TACIT research project aims to reduce the accessibility gap for people with disabilities.
