Finding My Voice over Zoom: An Autoethnography of Videoconferencing Experience for a Person Who Stutters

• DOI: 10.1145/3613904.3642746
• Publication Date: 2024-05-11T08:37:41Z
• Authors: Shaomei Wu; Jingjin Li; Gilly Leshed
• Keywords: Autoethnography; Videoconferencing

Existing videoconferencing (VC) technologies are often optimized for productivity and efficiency, with little support the "soft side" of VC meetings such as empathy, authenticity, belonging, emotional connections. This paper presents findings from a 15-month long autoethnographic study experiences by first author, person who stutters (PWS). Our research shed light on hidden costs PWS, uncovering substantial cognitive efforts that other meeting attendants unaware of. Recognizing disproportionate burden PWS to be heard in VC, we propose set design implications more inclusive communication environment, advocating shared responsibility among all, including technologies, ensure inclusion respect every voice.