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Abstract
Figures
Introduction
Case Study 1
Case Study 2
Conclusion and Discussion
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Engineering
Human Factors and Ergonomics

Enabling People - Creating Inclusive Human-Computer Interactions

Profile image of Yanki LeeYanki LeeProfile image of Rama GheerawoRama Gheerawo

2009, Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction. …

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02707-9_7
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10 pages

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Abstract

Inclusive design has traditionally dealt with physical design and differences in age and ability. However, as information technology becomes more pervasive, the new barriers to inclusivity are increasingly digital. Centring design around people can increase competitiveness and value, especially in fast-moving technology markets, but technology-specific, people-centred strategies need to be developed that build on existing inclusive design processes and go beyond the ’technology-push needs-pull’ approach to accommodate the social complexity that surrounds the everyday use of technology. This paper focuses on the challenges of implementing inclusive design in an technology context, illustrating this with examples drawn from the Royal College of Art Helen Hamlyn Centre (HHC). It outlines work done with students within an educational context and projects completed by design graduates working with industry. The case studies aim to demonstrate an approach that brings together the user’s voice and the designer’s creativity to enable a more inclusive approach.

Figures (4)
Fig. 1. User research with older people revealed a range of neck movement when typing. The project started with the student defining a social issue to investigate as part of their final year work on the RCA Industrial Design Engineering Masters degree. Computer technology can improve the quality of life and promote independence for older people. However, the primary point of interface, the keyboard, presents some difficulties. Touch-typing is a relatively underused technique, with 79 per cent of keyboard users, a disproportionate number of these being older, adopting a two- fingered approach (or ‘hunt and peck’) to typing. This requires users to locate keys by sight, shift their gaze to the screen to check for errors then return their attention to the keyboard to continue as shown in Fig. 1. Not only is this approach slow and less accurate, it also provokes repetitive head movements, sometimes aggravating neck muscles, and puts unnecessary strain on the overused digits. Although these issues affect users of all ages, the negative effects of repetitive strain, muscle ache and joint immobility can be over-emphasized in an older age group.
Fig. 1. User research with older people revealed a range of neck movement when typing. The project started with the student defining a social issue to investigate as part of their final year work on the RCA Industrial Design Engineering Masters degree. Computer technology can improve the quality of life and promote independence for older people. However, the primary point of interface, the keyboard, presents some difficulties. Touch-typing is a relatively underused technique, with 79 per cent of keyboard users, a disproportionate number of these being older, adopting a two- fingered approach (or ‘hunt and peck’) to typing. This requires users to locate keys by sight, shift their gaze to the screen to check for errors then return their attention to the keyboard to continue as shown in Fig. 1. Not only is this approach slow and less accurate, it also provokes repetitive head movements, sometimes aggravating neck muscles, and puts unnecessary strain on the overused digits. Although these issues affect users of all ages, the negative effects of repetitive strain, muscle ache and joint immobility can be over-emphasized in an older age group.
Fig. 2. The final design attached to the keyboard. The result was a device that allows the typist to see what they have typed without having to shift constantly their glance from the keyboard area to the screen. It has the potential to reduce neck movement and strain whilst increasing typing speed and accuracy. The device is a small LCD high contrast screen, which connects directly to the computer and displays the most recently typed text within the users' immediate field of vision. It can be repositioned to suit different people and does not require any set-up procedure or software to use (see Fig. 2).
Fig. 2. The final design attached to the keyboard. The result was a device that allows the typist to see what they have typed without having to shift constantly their glance from the keyboard area to the screen. It has the potential to reduce neck movement and strain whilst increasing typing speed and accuracy. The device is a small LCD high contrast screen, which connects directly to the computer and displays the most recently typed text within the users' immediate field of vision. It can be repositioned to suit different people and does not require any set-up procedure or software to use (see Fig. 2).
More than 14 million people in the UK can be termed ‘digitally excluded’ and the majority of these are older people. Some have never had access to a computer and many are never likely to. Many older people cannot justify the costs of buying a computer or the complications of learning to use one. This means that they cannot access services and communications that are becoming increasingly dependent on the Internet whether it is shopping for the best deals, communicating to a dispersed family network or obtaining impartial healthcare advice. The project aimed to bring the older user into the foreground and push the technology into the background. The focus was on promoting independent living and choice instead of simply providing another hard-wired, telecare solutions. Fig. 3. Four of the six users interviewed.
More than 14 million people in the UK can be termed ‘digitally excluded’ and the majority of these are older people. Some have never had access to a computer and many are never likely to. Many older people cannot justify the costs of buying a computer or the complications of learning to use one. This means that they cannot access services and communications that are becoming increasingly dependent on the Internet whether it is shopping for the best deals, communicating to a dispersed family network or obtaining impartial healthcare advice. The project aimed to bring the older user into the foreground and push the technology into the background. The focus was on promoting independent living and choice instead of simply providing another hard-wired, telecare solutions. Fig. 3. Four of the six users interviewed.
Fig. 4. The final design showing the black internet ‘face’ when docked and the white landline ‘face’ in use. The interviews were run during the early stages of the design process allowing the designers to respond to early feedback and evolve the concepts in between visits. Thi: approach meant that designs were directly challenged by the users from the briefings stage, allowing the creative process to move unhindered into spaces that the designer: had not previously considered. This research highlighted a number of issues in term: of who the outcomes should be aimed at and what technology should be used. In it: latter stages, the project focused on the over-70s for whom cost is especially important, as is ergonomics of use such as tactility of buttons and easy-to-reac displays. This group wanted any new devices to build on familiar interfaces and any benefits to be self-evident.
Fig. 4. The final design showing the black internet ‘face’ when docked and the white landline ‘face’ in use. The interviews were run during the early stages of the design process allowing the designers to respond to early feedback and evolve the concepts in between visits. Thi: approach meant that designs were directly challenged by the users from the briefings stage, allowing the creative process to move unhindered into spaces that the designer: had not previously considered. This research highlighted a number of issues in term: of who the outcomes should be aimed at and what technology should be used. In it: latter stages, the project focused on the over-70s for whom cost is especially important, as is ergonomics of use such as tactility of buttons and easy-to-reac displays. This group wanted any new devices to build on familiar interfaces and any benefits to be self-evident.

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Related topics

  • Human Computer Interaction
  • Information Technology
  • Technology
  • Inclusive Design
  • Physical Design
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