Abstract
Despite the speedy evolution of Information and Computer Technology (ICT), and the growing recognition of the importance of the concept of universal design in all domains of daily living, mainstream ICT-based product designers and developers still work without any truly structured tools, guidance or support to effectively adapt their products and services to users’ real needs. This paper presents the approach used to define and evaluate parametric cognitive models that describe interaction and usage of ICT by people with aging- and disability-derived functional impairments. A multisensorial training platform was used to train, based on real user measurements in real conditions, the virtual parameterized user models that act as subjects of the test-bed during all stages of simulated disabilities-friendly ICT-based products design. An analytical study was carried out to identify the relevant cognitive functions involved, together with their corresponding parameters as related to aging- and disability-derived functional impairments. Evaluation of the final cognitive virtual user models in a real application has confirmed that the use of these models produce concrete valuable benefits to the design and testing process of accessible ICT-based applications and services. Parameterization of cognitive virtual user models allows incorporating cognitive and perceptual aspects during the design process.
Highlights
In recent years, most of the world’s developed countries have been experiencing significant demographic changes, including the rising average age of their populations [1]
The present study aims to define parametric cognitive virtual user models that describe interaction and usage of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) by people with aging- and disability-derived functional impairments and evaluate their use during the design process and accessibility evaluation of ICT applications
One of the main innovations of the project related to virtual user modelling is the use of a multisensorial training platform to train the virtual parameterized user models based on real user measurements in real conditions
Summary
Most of the world’s developed countries have been experiencing significant demographic changes, including the rising average age of their populations [1]. A broader integration would translate into abundant and significant benefits, to these individuals themselves, and to society as a whole [6] These people’s ICT needs differ considerably from those of a normal or younger user. ICT designers and developers generally do not have adequate knowledge about the different conditions and cognitive states that people with aging- and disability-derived functional impairments normally experience, nor do they have sufficient expertise about the difficulties and impairments these people face when using ICT services or applications. Different modalities can be used concurrently so as to increase the accessibility of available information or, alternatively, to present the same information in different contexts, or, redundantly, to address different interaction channels Nowadays, these principles have been used in many different studies and proposals for design methodologies [7,8]
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