Digital avatars are an important part of identity representation, but there is little work on understanding how to represent disability. We interviewed 18 people with disabilities and related identities about their experiences and preferences in representing their identities with avatars. Participants generally preferred to represent their disability identity if the context felt safe and platforms supported their expression, as it was important for feeling authentically represented. They also utilized avatars in strategic ways: as a means to signal and disclose current abilities, access needs, and to raise awareness. Some participants even found avatars to be a more accessible way to communicate than alternatives. We discuss how avatars can support disability identity representation because of their easily customizable format that is not strictly tied to reality. We conclude with design recommendations for creating platforms that better support people in representing their disability and other minoritized identities.

翻译：数字化身是身份表征的重要组成部分，但关于如何表征残障的研究尚显不足。我们对18位残障人士及相关身份认同者进行访谈，探究他们通过化身进行身份表征的经历与偏好。参与者普遍倾向于在安全的情境下且平台支持其表达时呈现残障身份，这对获得真实认同至关重要。他们还会策略性地使用化身：作为传递与披露当前能力状况、无障碍需求及提升公众认知的媒介。部分参与者甚至发现化身是一种比传统方式更便捷的沟通形式。我们探讨了化身如何通过其易于定制且不严格绑定现实的特性，支持残障身份的表征。最后提出设计建议，以构建能更好支持用户表征残障及其他边缘化身份的平台。