Sven Bittenbinder, B.S. in Information Systems

Vita

10/2003 – 08/2009-> Studied Business Information Systems at the University of Siegen

Specialization subjects: Data Warehouse, IT Controlling, IT in Business, IT Project Management
Specialization: Integration of different application systems or service components
Thesis title: “An Investigation of the Integration of Proprietary Systems in SMEs in the Retail Sector”

09/2009 – 04/2014-> Executive Assistant at Buhl Data Service GmbH, Neunkirchen

Key user for internal IT system landscape / further development
Direct Marketing / Customer and Prospect Analysis, Operational Implementation
Product Owner for the Online Store / Product Presentation, User Experience

May 2014 – October 2019-> Head of the “Real Estate” strategic business unit at Buhl Data Service GmbH, Neunkirchen

Product Management / Strategic Direction
Product Owner / User-Centered Software Development
Marketer / Marketing and Sales

Since 11/2019 -> Research Assistant at the University of Siegen in the Department of Business Information Systems / IT for an Aging Society

Research Projects: iDESkmu, FUSION, WERTE.IT, Mittelstand-Digital Center for Rural Regions
Assessment of existing IT barriers based on qualitative-empirical/ethnographic surveys
Conducting (community-based) participatory research based on action research in the field
Publication of research findings in an academic context
Development of seminars and workshops on the topic of “accessible IT”

Contact

sven.bittenbinder@uni-siegen.de

+49 271 740-4470

Office address

US-E 117

1st floor

Kohlbettstraße 15

57072

Siegen

Contact

sven.bittenbinder@uni-siegen.de

+49 271 740-4470

Weblinks

Website

Projects

WERTE.IT addresses IT accessibility in companies, organizations, and government agencies to create a more inclusive labor market. The focus is on establishing inclusive structures at various levels, ranging from corporate culture and operational management to accessible workplaces and procurement processes. Specifically, this also applies to information and communication technologies. While these technologies are technically accessible, they still present barriers in everyday practice. The project aims to establish IT accessibility as a central and integral part of the digital workplace. To implement practical solutions in a targeted manner, a corresponding roadmap is being developed collaboratively and implemented sustainably. Together with the project partner, the Hamburg Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Blinden- & Sehbehindertenverein Hamburg e.V. (BSVH), the project launched on December 1, 2023, and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS) with approximately 2.5 million euros over a three-year period.

“Inclusive DMS/ECMS and Industry-Specific Software in SMEs”—or iDESkmu for short—is the name of the new research project at the University of Siegen, conducted in cooperation with the Hamburg Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (BSVH) and HAVI Solutions, a service provider specializing in software and data migration. The project investigates the accessibility of document management systems, enterprise content management systems, and industry-specific software in the workplace at small and medium-sized enterprises for people with visual impairments. In collaboration with companies and affected employees, the project aims to identify specific accessibility barriers in the workplace. The project began in May 2019 with a funding period of three years (2019 to 2022).

The two subprojects, “Health & Aging” (TV4) and “Social Issues & Inclusion” (TV5), within the FUSION project aim to develop practice-oriented and digitally supported solutions to ensure the quality of health and long-term care services in rural regions, while also making access to social services more transparent, low-threshold, and close to where people live and to their needs. Further information on individual subprojects can be found at: https://fusion.uni-siegen.de

Involvement by a project partner from the business sector. Details about the project can be found at Cubes

Publications

[1] Weiler, Tim; Bittenbinder, Sven; Slingerland, Geertje; Rossitto, Chiara; Müller, Claudia (2026)[cite: 4]
The Emotional Side of Practice-Based Computing—Challenges, Impact, and Extra Work[cite: 4]
In: Proc. EUSSET Conf. on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work, DOI: 10.48340/ecscw2026_039[cite: 4]
Abstract Links

Participatory design in sensitive contexts involves substantial invisible extra work that rarely appears in project plans or publications. At the same time, close collaboration with groups in sensitive contexts can expose researchers to significant emotional demands. While both invisible work and emotional labor have been discussed in CSCW and PD, little attention has been paid to how they intersect. In this reflection paper, we analyze four heterogeneous practice-based computing projects to examine the co-constitution of emotional labor and extra work. We thereby analyze how extra work shapes researchers’ emotional experiences and how emotional demands generate additional work. Drawing on cross-case analysis in the tradition of design case studies, we identify three recurring emotional patterns: (1) responsibility and moral obligation, (2) uncertainty, insecurity, and lack of control, and (3) frustration, anger, and ethical tension. We demonstrate how these patterns are closely linked to institutional and structural conditions such as funding insecurity, sustainability gaps, and organizational instability. By conceptualizing emotional labor and extra work as mutually reinforcing, we contribute a more integrated understanding of participatory research practice and argue for greater visibility and recognition of researchers’ emotional work as a prerequisite for sustainable and responsible collaboration.[cite: 4]

[2] Bittenbinder, Sven; Clüver, Claudius; Müller, Claudia; Mörike, Frauke (2026)[cite: 4]
Toward a Methodological Framework for Inclusive and Socio-Technical Accessibility Research[cite: 4]
DOI: 10.48340/ecscw2026_ws01_00[cite: 4]
Abstract Links

[3] Krayter, Stephan; Bittenbinder, Sven; Meisner, Konrad; Reichstein, Martin F.; Wissenbach, Lars; Müller, Claudia (2025)[cite: 4]
Invisible Work in Social Service Access: Barriers, Resources, and Consequences[cite: 4]
In: Proceedings of the 23rd EUSSET Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work, DOI: 10.48340/ecscw2025_pd05[cite: 4]
Keywords: italg[cite: 4]
Abstract Links

This paper, based on an interview study with social service users, explores the complex process of accessing this system and the invisible work it requires beforehand. Drawing on Knecht and Schubert’s resource taxonomy, the study analyzes the interplay of personal and environmental resources, revealing how their cultivation and maintenance constitute “invisible work”—a pivotal factor in achieving successful service access. Through 12 in-depth interviews, supplemented by a written account, participants’ initial pathways to social services were reconstructed. The interviews illustrate that informal resources and pathways frequently play a decisive role, alongside formal procedures. These informal routes vary considerably in the amount of invisible work they demand. To alleviate this hidden burden, I propose exploring digital platforms or centralized entry points as potential solutions. These innovations could streamline access, reduce reliance on informal networks, and ultimately enhance equity in service provision.[cite: 4]

[4] Bittenbinder, Sven; Clüver, Claudius; Müller, Claudia (2025)[cite: 4]
Onboarding for barrier-free cooperation at work—Safe Space for experiencing and negotiating to promote the inclusion of new employees[cite: 4]
In: 23rd European Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work, DOI: 10.48340/ecscw2025_pd07[cite: 4]
Keywords: italg[cite: 4]
Abstract Links

Onboarding for new employees with disabilities begins after a person with a disability is assigned a job, which initiates a process of technical support for work in the workplace through assistive technologies. During this crucial phase, the framework conditions for inclusion within the company can be established, and expectations and a code of conduct can be clarified. The preliminary results from a workshop with employees with disabilities and accessibility experts presented in this article highlight motivational factors and barriers from the perspective of potential employees. They reveal a need for a “Safe Space” during the onboarding process—a space where inclusion and working conditions for people with disabilities and their colleagues without disabilities can be negotiated, and where forms of interaction can be defined. This text outlines the design, structure, and content of such a “Safe Space” for sharing experiences and negotiation. The conclusion is that this space should be facilitated by supervisors, with clear boundaries established, and that it serves to create a common language.[cite: 4]

[5] Bittenbinder, Sven; Weiler, Tim; Paluch, Richard; Kirschsieper, Dennis; Specovius, Oliver; Müller, Claudia (2025)[cite: 4]
Research Buddy—From a Framework for Overcoming Language Barriers to the Development of a Qualitative Citizen Science Platform[cite: 4]
In: Interacting with Computers, Volume: 37, No. 4, pp. 300–313, DOI: 10.1093/iwc/iwae047[cite: 4]
Keywords: italg[cite: 4]
Abstract Links

Students benefit from international study programs in fields such as HCI. However, user-centered research in a foreign country presents certain challenges, particularly language barriers when conducting fieldwork and ethnographic and participatory studies. An additional obstacle arises when targeting groups that do not speak English, such as in Germany, where English was not taught in schools until the 1970s. The goal and challenge of the present project, “Research Buddy,” is to bring together young international students and older adults as co-researchers in Germany. We describe the participatory development of the concept for a matching platform and its design. In focus groups with older adults, university faculty, and students, requirements for a collaborative research infrastructure were jointly identified and prototypically implemented. The empirical results focus on the possibilities the platform offers for qualitative citizen science in the field of age tech.[cite: 4]

[6] Bittenbinder, Sven; Clüver, Claudius; Nalbach, Padmé; Müller, Claudia (2025)[cite: 4]
From Recruiting to Onboarding – Challenges of an Accessible Candidate Journey[cite: 4]
pp. 624–629, DOI: 10.61063/FK2025[cite: 4]
Keywords: italg; wineme[cite: 4]
Links

[7] Bittenbinder, Sven; Clüver, Claudius; Färber, David; Müller, Claudia (2025)[cite: 4]
Digital Divide in the Context of Sheltered Workshops: Challenges for People with Disabilities in Transitioning to the General Labor Market[cite: 4]
pp. 527–532, DOI: 10.1145/3743049.3748555[cite: 4]
Keywords: italg[cite: 4]
Abstract Links

The transition of people with disabilities from sheltered workshops to the general labor market is a central goal of inclusive employment policies. In the context of ongoing digitalization, the question arises as to what potential digital technologies offer for this transition—and what challenges organizations face in this process. Despite political efforts, structural barriers remain, particularly regarding the acquisition and application of digital skills. Based on qualitative interviews with managers from various institutions within a sheltered workshop, the study identifies several key challenges: Digital literacy in sheltered workshops depends heavily on individual staff members; there is a lack of central points of contact, structured training programs, and strategic concepts for digital transformation. Moreover, assistive technologies often go unused—not because they are irrelevant, but due to limited awareness, time constraints, and financial limitations. The findings show that the development of digital skills is essential for enabling participation in the general labor market—both for professionals and for people with disabilities. The research highlights the need for systematic support, practical skills development, and stronger networking between sheltered workshops and companies in order to promote digital inclusion in the long term.[cite: 4]

[8] Bittenbinder, Sven; Müller, Claudia; Reichstein, Martin Frederik; Rohrmann, Albrecht; Schädler, Johannes; Struzek, David; Wissenbach, Lars (2024)[cite: 4]
Everything, everywhere? Dealing with complex support needs in rural-industrialized areas in western Germany[cite: 4]
In: Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, Volume: 68, No. 7, p. 861, DOI: 10.1111/jir.13166[cite: 4]
Keywords: italg[cite: 4]
Links

[9] Bittenbinder, Sven; Müller, Claudia (2024)[cite: 4]
Supporting Developers in Developing Accessible Digital Artifacts – Challenges in Implementing a Sustainable Workflow in Developers’ Work Practices[cite: 4]
In: 70th Congress on Ergonomics[cite: 4]
Keywords: italg[cite: 4]
Abstract Links

Digital accessibility is a key enabler for the equal participation of people with disabilities in society. This article examines how IT developers can be supported in their work practices through holistic measures to make the development of accessible IT products the norm. There are already some isolated approaches to development practices, but these are insufficient. There is a lack of a holistic view of sustainable measures that address socio-technical infrastructures. Based on two qualitative-empirical studies, the authors conclude that isolated approaches—without embedding them in work structures (technical, individual, and organizational)—have not yet been able to produce a practical reference architecture for implementing accessibility in companies, and that these aspects must be taken into account in further research.[cite: 4]

[10] Bittenbinder, Sven; Müller, Claudia; Effert, Jana-Sophie; Schwarz, Thorsten; Zimmermann, Gottfried; David, Nadia; Mörike, Frauke (2024)[cite: 4]
Collaborative Editing of Documents by Users with Disabilities—Sustainable Solutions for Practice[cite: 4]
In: Mensch und Computer 2024 - Workshop Proceedings, p. 10.18420/muc2024, DOI: https://doi.org/10.18420/muc2024-mci-ws10-116 [cite: 4]
Keywords: italg[cite: 4]
Abstract Links

In work and learning settings, collaborative work on shared documents—both synchronously and asynchronously—is common and even necessary. Supporting tools are currently based on web applications such as Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or Overleaf. These tools offer special features to make collaborative document editing effective and efficient, but not for all user groups. There are already studies that examine such tools from a technical perspective regarding their accessibility, but few studies examine the process of collaborative work on documents by people with and without disabilities, the real-world challenges, and established practices. This issue requires a socio-technical perspective to assess the impact on all stakeholders and to develop sustainable solutions for accessible collaboration. The aim of this workshop is to shed light on this perspective from various angles, to discuss it, and to provide new impetus for future developments in this area.[cite: 4]

[11] Bittenbinder, Sven; Müller, Claudia; Tuncer, Zeynep (2023)[cite: 4]
European Accessibility Act—Practice-Based Approaches to Meeting Accessibility Requirements[cite: 4]
In: P. Fröhlich and V. Cobus (eds) Workshop Proceedings. Mensch und Computer 2023, Rapperswil (SG): Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V., DOI: 10.18420/MUC2023-MCI-WS07-109[cite: 4]
Keywords: italg; Accessibility; Disability Studies; Human-Computer Interaction; Inclusion[cite: 4]
Abstract Links

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) establishes accessibility requirements for a wide range of products and services provided by public bodies and private companies; its implementation in Germany is governed by the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG). Despite numerous efforts to make information and communication technologies (ICT) accessible, inaccessible software solutions still exist due to a lack of technical knowledge, resources, and motivation. The workshop aims to discuss practical approaches and perspectives using HCI methods to support all stakeholders involved in the development of accessible ICT solutions, including end-users, decision-makers, designers, developers, quality assurance professionals, and companies as a whole. The prioritization of accessibility needs to be reevaluated in the short term in order to meet the requirements of the BFSG (and thus the EAA). In particular, the individual needs and social contexts of socio-technical systems must be taken into account. The aim of the workshop is to gather and discuss different perspectives, opinions, and approaches through an interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and groups of people directly and indirectly affected.[cite: 4]

[12] Bittenbinder, Sven; Müller, Claudia (2023)[cite: 4]
Responsibilities for Accessibility in Companies—Who Is Responsible?[cite: 4]
In: P. Fröhlich and V. Cobus (eds.) Workshop Proceedings. Mensch und Computer 2023, Rapperswil (SG): Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V., DOI: 10.18420/MUC2023-MCI-WS07-518[cite: 4]
Keywords: italg[cite: 4]
Abstract Links

[13] Paluch, Richard; Struzek, David; Kirschsieper, Dennis; Bittenbinder, Sven; Müller, Claudia (2022)[cite: 4]
Participation Through Technology? Developing Technical Artifacts With and For Vulnerable Groups[cite: 4]
In: Health and Technology[cite: 4]
Keywords: italg[cite: 4]
Links

[14] Papke, Birgit; Schädler, Johannes; Reichstein, Martin F.; Strünck, Christoph; Wieching, Rainer; Wulf, Volker; Bertelmann, Lena; Mayerle, Michael; Freese, Benjamin; Krüger, Max; Weibert, Anne; Randall, Dave; Leal, Debora de Castro; Foelske, Laura; Danz, Dominic; Pinatti, Fabiano; Bittenbinder, Sven; Müller, Claudia; Roder, Sascha; Konieczny, Eva; Windisch, Marcus; Hering, Sabine; Kappeler, Manfred (2021)[cite: 4]
Special Issue: Realizing Participation—On the Further Development of Social Services in the Analog and Digital Spheres[cite: 4]
In: Siegen:SOZIAL—Analyses, Reports, Controversies (SI:SO) Vol. 26, No. 1–2, 2021, DOI: 10.25819/ubsi/10368[cite: 4]
Abstract Links

Digital information and communication technologies are becoming an increasingly integral and significant part of the everyday lives of a growing number of people. Their development and widespread use are advancing at an ever-accelerating pace; their diverse applications have long since touched every area of life. While the digitization of communication processes is sometimes credited with having democratizing effects, a critical reflection on the potential and impacts of digital information and communication technologies on participation dynamics in various spheres of life appears urgently necessary. With this special issue of SI:SO, the authors aim to contribute to a critical reflection on digital innovations and their impact on the future design of social services. The bilingual edition also reflects the hope of making this contribution accessible to a European and global audience.[cite: 4]

[15] Struzek, David; Cerna, Katerina; Paluch, Richard; Bittenbinder, Sven; Müller, Claudia; Reuter, Arlind; Stamato, Lydia; Subasi, Özge; Hamidi, Foad; Vines, John (2021)[cite: 4]
Designing for New Forms of Vulnerability: Exploring Transformation and Empowerment in Times of COVID-19[cite: 4]
In: 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1–5, DOI: 10.1145/3411763.3441339[cite: 4]
Keywords: italg[cite: 4]
Links

[16] Bittenbinder, Sven; Carvalho, Aparecido Fabiano Pinatti de; Müller, Claudia; Wulf, Volker (2021)[cite: 4]
“Caring for Inclusivity—Accessibility as a Determinant Factor for Benefiting from Social Services in Both Analog and Digital Spaces”[cite: 4]
In: Siegen:SOZIAL, (1-2/2021), pp. 70–81[cite: 4]
Keywords: italg[cite: 4]
Links

[17] Bittenbinder, Sven; Pinatti de Carvalho, Aparecido Fabiano; Krapp, Eva; Müller, Claudia; Wulf, Volker (2021)[cite: 4]
Planning for Inclusive Design Workshops: Fostering Collaboration between People with and without Visual Impairment[cite: 4]
In: 19th European Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work, DOI: 10.18420/ecscw2021_ep27[cite: 4]
Keywords: italg[cite: 4]
Abstract Links

Conducting successful design workshops can be a challenging task. This can become even more difficult when attempting to organize more inclusive design workshops that encompass a broad range of user profiles. If some of these profiles include people with disabilities, the situation can become even more complicated. Furthermore, there are also challenges associated with attempting to conduct an activity that is typically carried out in person in an online format. This exploratory paper presents a discussion of several lessons learned from organizing design workshops that included both people with and without visual impairments. It also outlines our response to the situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic, which prevented us from conducting in-person design workshops. Based on feedback received from participants in an initial in-person design workshop organized as part of one of our projects, and on informal interviews conducted primarily by phone to discuss ways to enhance collaboration between people with and without visual impairments during such activities, we go on to introduce some relevant aspects that should be taken into consideration when planning inclusive design workshops. This is a preliminary contribution intended to spark discussion on technology-mediated inclusive participatory design initiatives, with the aim of further informing the development of a robust methodological contribution to CSCW.[cite: 4]

[18] Pinatti de Carvalho, Aparecido Fabiano; Bittenbinder, Sven; Müller, Claudia; David, Nadia; Hansen, Bente; Wulf, Volker (2020)[cite: 4]
Fostering Accessibility at the Workplace through Community-based Participatory Research[cite: 4]
In: European Society for Socially Embedded Technologies (EUSSET), p. 13, DOI: 10.18420/ecscw2020_ws07[cite: 4]
Keywords: italg[cite: 4]
Abstract Links

This workshop aims to provide a forum for discussing the potential of community-based participatory research (CBPR) to foster accessibility in the workplace. It aims to create a space to engage people with and without disabilities in a discussion about how this approach can help bring employees, employers, developers, and researchers together to develop an awareness-raising strategy that highlights the importance of creating and adopting highly accessible digital solutions for the workplace. In particular, it focuses on the potential of this approach to engage people with disabilities in research, development, and, most importantly, in the job market. Ultimately, the workshop seeks to advance the discussion on how this type of research can contribute to the inclusion of people with disabilities in society and to highlight the benefits of doing so. The workshop is rooted in the European CSCW tradition of using in-depth qualitative methodologies for workplace studies and practice-based computing. It addresses issues of cooperation and collaboration among research stakeholders in the pursuit of a deep understanding of work contexts and the design of socio-technical systems that respond to their emerging needs.[cite: 4]

[19] Winter, Dominique; Bittenbinder, Sven; Hinderks, Andreas; Thomaschewski, Jörg (2017)[cite: 4]
UX Competence in Organizations – How Can an Organization’s UX Competence Be Enhanced?[cite: 4]
In: Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V., p. 4, DOI: 10.18420/muc2017-up-0003[cite: 4]
Keywords: italg[cite: 4]
Abstract Links

[20] Winter, Dominique; Bittenbinder, Sven; Stevens, Gunnar (2016)[cite: 4]
The Internal UX Roundtable—Developing a Community of Practice for UX Professionals within the Company[cite: 4]
In: Conference Proceedings UP16, DOI: 10.18420/muc2016-up-0026[cite: 4]
Abstract Links

[21] Bittenbinder, Sven; Winter, Dominique (2016)[cite: 4]
Case Study: Context-Sensitive Feedback[cite: 4]
In: Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. Aachen, Prinz, W., Borchers, J., & Jarke, M. (Eds.), p. 4, DOI: 10.18420/muc2016-mci-0247[cite: 4]
Keywords: italg[cite: 4]
Abstract Links

[22] Bittenbinder, Sven; Winter, Dominique (2015)[cite: 4]
Context-Specific User Feedback in a Desktop Application[cite: 4]
In: Diefenbach, S., Henze, N., & Pielot, M. (Eds.) Berlin: De Gruyter Oldenbourg, pp. 327–330[cite: 4]
Keywords: italg[cite: 4]
Abstract Links

[23] Winter, Dominique; Bittenbinder, Sven (2014)[cite: 4]
UX Controlling in Product Development[cite: 4]
In: Stuttgart: German UPA, p. 11[cite: 4]
Abstract Links

User experience is a crucial quality factor in the competition among products for user favor. It is therefore essential to develop products that offer an optimized user experience in order to use a company’s development resources efficiently. To achieve this efficiency, goals must be set and their achievement tracked. Have we truly achieved what we set out to do in the areas of user experience that are relevant to our customers? Establishing a UX-Controlling system helps answer this question. Within this framework, goals are defined, monitored, and evaluated for achievement. Subsequent measures designed to drive targeted improvements in specific areas of the user experience round out the UX controlling process. But how does one actually establish such a UX controlling system? Which methods should be used, and which processes need to be established?[cite: 4]

Sven Bittenbinder, B.S. in Information Systems

Vita

Business Information Systems / It for the Ageing Society - Research Assistant

Contact

Office address

Zentrum für interdisziplinäre Gesundheitsforschung (ZIGS) - Member of ZiGS

Contact

Weblinks

Projects

WERTE.IT

iDESkmu

FUSION

Cubes

Publications