Catálogo de publicaciones - libros

In this paper authors review several fundamental issues necessary for the design of inclusive human-computer interaction systems. The main objective is to vindicate the adoption of the Universal Accessibility paradigm in the design of main stream applications. Given that the authors think that current technology and design methods and tools are mature enough for inclusive design, they studied the conditions for its full deployment and propose the elimination of the found obstacles. In this paper, after justifying the importance of the Design for All, the main restrictions to inclusive design are reviewed and the need for a user oriented approach is showed. Other crucial matters to ensure inclusive design, such as user full participation and ethical and social impact avoidance, are analyzed. To finish, the role of the Assistive technology, in relation to Design for All is discussed.

Since the European Commision’s Information Society Technologies Program Advisory Group (ISTAG) coined the phrase “ambient intelligence” [1], [2] a much anticipated future has been considered. That future would involve people with disabilities living in a world populated by interconnected networks of intelligent devices, providing the means for communication, information retrieval, entertainment. A responsibility now exists to include people with disabilities in the debate and discussion of what such a future will mean to them, how it will improve their quality of life and how the potential of future technologies can be appropriately exploited. This paper outlines a collaborative process undertaken by the Central Remedial Clinic, providing a total of 34 people with different disabilities with an opportunity to reflect on and discuss the ISTAG scenarios and envision their own future as citizens with disabilities in a world surrounded by and supported by, as yet unrealised, ambient intelligences.

Self-service technology use and adoption can be seen as an evolutionary process. From a conceptual perspective, evolution delivers the growing advantages of self-service. From a practical perspective, evolution is based on user perceptions and attitude toward adopting the technology. Based on the latter perspective of technology adoption, this paper presents an analysis of three empirical studies exploring self-service solutions for Chinese customers. These studies involve several user-centred research methodologies. The studies were carried out as a result of research collaboration between Sino-European Usability Centre (SEUC), Dalian Maritime University, China and Advanced Technology and Research (AT&R), NCR, U.K. The first study investigates the introduction of a basic automated teller machine (ATM) accommodating Chinese user requirement. Findings indicate that the relationship between individuals’ pre-adoption and post-adoption perceptions of ATMs was a critical determinant of its continued use. The second study focussed on the functionality of ATMs in terms of using cash deposit solution. The study reports that the successful use of cash deposit was evaluated on the basis of users’ understanding of deposit solution. The third study addressed biometric technology use for enhanced security on ATMs. Consistent with previous findings, user perceptions emerged as an important determinant of biometric technology adoption in the Chinese financial market. Based on user perceptions, these studies provide an understanding into the self-service future in China. Several user-centred design guidelines to adapt self-service technology to Chinese user requirements have emerged. Also, these studies offer valuable outcomes in terms of useful insights into the current Chinese banking culture. These insights provide Chinese financial institutions a basis to strategically introduce self-service technology on a broad scale.

This paper will look at the Challenge Workshop, a knowledge transfer model on the inclusive design process based on the seven DBA Inclusive Design Challenges organised at the Royal College of Art (RCA) since 2000 by the author in collaboration with the Design Business Association, the leading trade association for designers in the UK. This mentored annual competition sees leading UK design firms work with consumers with severe disabilities to develop innovative, inclusive and aspirational product and service prototypes for the mainstream market. It will focus on how this collaborative model has been further developed into creative workshops of varying lengths and iterations in different contexts in the UK, Japan, Israel and Singapore to inspire and inform designers, engineers and others of the innovative possibili-ties of inclusive design and in the process change their perceptions. The paper will also describe how the workshop has been adapted to and addressed the different knowledge transfer challenges of each cultural context and will show examples of some of the outstanding design proposals that have emerged.

The paper presents a meta-design approach to the design and development of interactive systems, which bridges the communication gaps arising among the members of an interdisciplinary design team including different experts: software engineers, human-computer interaction experts, end users as domain experts. Each experts is a stakeholder that proposes design solutions from her/his perspective. The approach, which relies on a novel model of Interaction and Co-Evolution processes, also supports co-evolution of users and systems.

The theory and practice of Universal Design have evolved over the last twenty years. Based on a review of relevant publications in design, ergonomics and Human-Computer Interaction, the author summaries the evolution in terms of two shifting paradigms: one is from the separation of the ’Assistive Technology Approach’ (top-down) and the ’Idealistic Universal Design Approach’ (bottom-up) to the integration of the two approaches; the other is from adopting discipline-specific research approaches to collaboration in multidisciplinary research teams. Because of the close relationship between Universal Design and Human Factors and Ergonomics, the challenges of future development of Universal Design are also discussed with regard to the revolution and shifting paradigms in Human Factors and Ergonomics.

User research always presents challenges of interpretation, but these challenges are much greater when the research is done internationally. This is true regardless of whether the research is carried out in one country other than the researcher’s own, or in multiple countries. In this paper, we discuss a number of these challenges, and to offer some practical ways to minimize them.

We discuss the privacy issues related to the design of systems that dis close information about emotions to remote acquaintances, without simulta neous communication: users do not chat, see or hear each other. We consider the acquisition of information, storage, processing, multi-modal rendering, and interactions. We illustrate our points with the system we designed for affec tive bonding and support with family and friends. Our most significant contri bution is the provision of a first overview of the whole process for everyday life uses.

Much of the international focus at companies tends to be on localization. Localization is critical to helping a company be a player in international markets, but strategic user research can play a significant role in driving the company’s international strategy, identifying and defining key opportunities. The methods used in strategic research also need to go beyond localization in order to realize their full potential. Properly ”culturalized” research efforts can help a company reach beyond localization in several ways. This paper will explore how Adobe Systems has engaged in research to extend its offerings in geographies outside of the United States, and in particular it will draw from examples of activities and solutions for the Japanese market.

In this paper, the concerns of inclusivity with respect to technology are with the fragmenting effects upon our interaction and social practices of transferring and transforming knowledge when we use technology as part of our communication and decision-making processes. Through identifying and analysing these effects and the issues they raise for design and use of technology, the paper develops some basic principles of human-centred systems deemed essential for designing for inclusivity.