Online Meeting Accommodation Requests With Anonymous Host Mediation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with disabilities or accommodation needs face barriers in online meetings due to lack of host planning, requiring direct communication for accommodations, which can compromise privacy and meeting efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system allowing participants to request accommodations anonymously through a meeting invitation, with the meeting server enabling these accommodations automatically, ensuring privacy and improved meeting experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If participants directly communicate with the host to request accommodations, then the host can understand and address the specific needs, but the participant's privacy is compromised and the interaction becomes uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism where accommodation requests are submitted through a form that anonymizes participant information. The host receives accommodation needs without knowing which specific participant requested them, thus protecting privacy while ensuring accommodations are provided.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the accommodation request process from direct participant-host communication. By separating the request submission (through anonymized forms) from the fulfillment process, the system allows participants to receive accommodations without directly identifying themselves to the host.
2Ease of operation
If the host plans and prepares accommodations in advance, then the meeting experience is improved for participants with disabilities, but this requires additional time and effort from the host
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables preliminary action by allowing hosts to receive and review accommodation requests before the meeting begins. Participants can submit their needs in advance through the invitation form, giving the host time to prepare appropriate accommodations without last-minute disruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by providing participants with the ability to independently request accommodations through the invitation form. This reduces the burden on the host by automating the collection and organization of accommodation needs, requiring only review and fulfillment rather than active management of the request process.
3Ease of operation
If accommodation options are provided in the meeting invitation, then participants can easily request accommodations, but the invitation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies segmentation by separating the invitation into distinct functional sections: meeting details, accommodation options, and submission mechanism. This modular structure allows participants to easily find and select accommodation needs without being overwhelmed by the entire invitation content.
Data Source
AI summary
A meeting server provides, to one or more participants of an online meeting, an invitation to join the online meeting. The invitation including an option to request one or more accommodations for the online meeting. The meeting server obtains, from a participant of the one or more participants, a request for an accommodation, of the one or more accommodations, during the online meeting. The meeting server performs one or more actions associated with the request for the accommodation.