SIE 515 Universal Design Lecture 9

Today’s Schedule What is Universal Design (UD)? Goals and users Pros and cons UD implementation approaches UD principles UD & interfaces: Visual, auditory, haptic, and gesture UD on the web

What is Universal Design? Definition: Design that can benefit everybody, not just average user or people with specific user need. Most designs are for heterogeneous user population Design for user diversity and inclusion Challenge: user variables are continuous Solution: Create discrete user categories Design for user variability rather than specificity

Goal of Universal Design Product / interface should be usable by design, not as an after thought Relates to range of users, hardware, and software Strive to provide equivalent experience between users Take home: Universal design is not specialized design Arguments against universal design?

Four Approaches to UD Implementation UD through shared purpose UD through intrinsic redundancy UD through information augmentation UD through compatibility with third party technology

UD through Shared Purpose Design features for one user group = benefits for other groups Gold standard for UD Include features for one user group that also benefit larger user base Apple voiceover: http://www.apple.com/accessibility/ios/

Physical Examples

UD through Redundancy Interface provides multiple input/output channels Affords access to diverse users Multimodal signaling useful to all depending on situation Often easy to implement Keyboard shortcuts for all functions of UI

UD through Information Augmentation Mechanism to complement standard information or interface features Supports core users and other users/tasks Alt tags: Multiple benefits Tool tips, captions, table descriptions, etc.

UD and Third Parties Third party technology and universal design Access from external sources when accessibility is not built-in Reasonable solution under certain circumstances

CAPTCHA Problem for access Auditory version good idea but based on poor research

7 Universal Design Principles Equitable use Flexibility in use System should be simple and intuitive to use Perceptible information Tolerance for error Low physical effort Consideration of size and space for approach and use

Universal Design and Specific Populations Users with disabilities (disability as diversity) Rationale for inclusion Visual and hearing impairments Users of different ages Differences in mental and physical ability Variability across lifespan Development of gerontechnology Users from different cultures Language, layout, symbols, gestures

Universal Design and Visual Displays For visual presentation: Most universal design principles = general design principles Tips for customizing visual displays: Make options clear Provide flexibility for text, color, contrast Allow method for magnification

Universal Design and Audio Displays  Sound improves user experience Easy to implement and provides good redundant cues Two types of auditory interfaces: Speech and non- speech Speech can be input (recognition) or output (text-to- speech engines) Non-speech cues: Used for signaling or augmentation Auditory icons: Sound represents objects or actions

Earcons

Universal Design and Touch Different types of touch sensing Touch advantages: Getting attention, will not interfere with vision Provides access to many of the same cues as vision Used as a primary interface or specifically for accessibility

Gestures Growing relevance to universal design Many applications: Physical disability, cognitive impairment, sign language

Universal Design on the Internet Must include universal design as don't know access needs of users Tips: Allow screen customization, provide alt tags, meaning link names, header links for navigation, headers for separation Consider hearing your webpage via speech as well as seeing it Try out screen reader demos: www.freedomscientific.com Make use of automatic accessibility evaluation tools: www.etre.com/tools/accessibilitycheck/

Screen Readers and Columns Lady Gaga artRave Justin Bieber Believe Moosehead Lodge Highlands Retirement Center 8pm Caribou, ME 8pm Topsham, ME 1 (800) 653-8000 1 (800) 653-8000

For Next Class Assignment 9: Task 1: Read (skim) Chapter 8 in Shneiderman Task 2: Describe a good and bad example of input or output interfaces in terms of how they support or do not support universal design principles. Task 3: Post to blog by 11:59PM on 2/17/16. Come to class prepared to discuss.