1. FP7 – ICT Challenge Parallel session 6 : 16 January 11:30 Computer simulation of the user interaction Paul Timmers (Head of Unit) François Junique (Project Officer) Unit ”ICT for Inclusion” (H3)

2. Challenge 7, WP extracts (Call 2)
… mainstreaming and radically improving the accessibility and usability of new ICT solutions. This should ensure a better adoption and acceptance of ICT by people with disabilities, functional limitations or lacking digital competences, and may have a large spill-over effect to the wider society.
… a multi-disciplinary and user-centred approach to RTD combining advanced technology research and systems level integration.
… resulting solutions should meet user requirements and achieve wide acceptance.
… help create important new market opportunities for European industry and establish global leadership in inclusive ICT.

3. Accessibility simulation & validation workprogramme text
New methods & tools for computer simulation of the user interaction and computer-based validation frameworks (e.g. immersive environments)
providing support to developers of ICT-based products & services
for verification & optimisation of accessibility features
at all development stages.
 Integrated Project (up to one) & STREPs

4. Expected impact
Mainstreamed accessibility of ICT and radical improvement in accessibility of future ICT products & services
Open, standards-based and seamless interfacing of general purpose and assistive ICT
Embed personalised accessibility features deep into mass-market ICT technology design.
Facilitate development & production of accessible ICT products & services through the availability of new tools & methods to allow developers to verify & optimise accessibility at all development stages.

5. “Continuity” : Design for All principles
Design of:
ICT that is demonstrably suitable for most of the potential users without any modifications. 
Products which are easily adaptable to different users (e.g. by incorporating adaptable or customisable user interfaces).
Products which have standardised interfaces for specialised user interaction (assistive) devices.
Next step for design for all / universal design
Help development and verify results
Simulation of interaction + Validators

6. Examples New Methods & Tools, E.g. immersive environments
Future ICT-based Products & Services
Digital television
Next generation mobile handsets
Web 2.0
Content Management Systems
Digital Rights Management
Virtual and immersive environments
City navigation
Home systems
Home appliances
Car systems
RFID-equipped environments …

7. State of the Art for VALIDATION - some elements (2)
Past/current work
Web accessibility
Syntax validators, accessibility (partial) checkers integrated or not in CMS  see EC projects (FP6 WAB) & many other projects and industrial products
Process: see FP6 Support-EAM project investigations (+ CEN CWA) with supplier's declaration of conformity (ISO/IEC 17050), inspection (ISO/IEC 17020) and product certification (EN 45011)

8. State of the Art for VALIDATION - some elements (2)
Past/current work
ICT Products & Services for Public Procurement
See EC Mandate to European Standardisation Organisations for requirements specification and assessment toolkit/method
See similar efforts in other countries (e.g. USA, Canada, …)
Other
EC e-Accessibility projects (old, in FP4 or TIDE), including USERfit methodology & its computer implementation
“A practical handbook on user-centred design for Assistive Technology” (TIDE) ec.europa.eu/information_society/policy/accessibility/deploy/dfa/index_en.htm

9. State of the Art for VALIDATION – some elements (3)
At all stages: Requirements, Specs, Dev., Implementation
Testing: white or black box, exploratory, manual, automatic; specific for GUI : planning system & AI, genetic algorithms, test cases
Accessibility-proof
SW & HW interfaces for Assistive Technologies ; Multi-modality ; Use cases & Scenarios + Personas ; User profiles/preferences.
Knowledge + Guidelines + Tools
Project management & Quality (Risk, Human resources & Responsibility, KPI)
Computer-based !

10. State of the Art for Simulation – some elements (1)
In HCI or related to Disability: Dyslexia simulation, visual impairment simulator, disability simulator for the Web, Disability simulations vs User testing, Device-oriented analyses of user interfaces, …
Computer-aided engineering (CAE) e.g. to analyze robustness and performance of components & assemblies: simulation, validation and optimization of products and manufacturing tools.
Existing simulators: aeronautics, medicine (virtual patients/bodies), digital human model for industry, weather, strategy, etc  models + virtualisation
The Call: Methods or Tools for simulation for Design & Engineering NOT for re-education or training of patients/users !!!
Scenario testing, Rapid Prototyping, Mental Models (usability), Virtual Artifacts, Scientific Modeling, Simulation of validating scenarios, Second Life …
Existing Standards, Societies for Simulation

11. State of the Art for Simulation – some elements (2)
Interaction simulation for
Validation of user protocol with the product (interface + application), separate models for device / application, and for user interaction
Evaluation of product design and functionality with users (“think aloud” sessions) and with potential customers (marketing)
Assisting hand design when automatic generation is not satisfactory
Issues
Efficient use by “non-disabled” designers of disability simulators?
Avoiding focus on medical or functional limitations of the individuals or specific accommodation for the disabled users
Improving environment and interactional models, i.e. what people can do with appropriate access, technology & skills.
Towards the virtual user

12. Expressions of Interest (info-days presentations)
Potential Proposals on Validation
Web Accessibility automatic testing (HiSoftware) …
Potential Proposals on Simulation
Potential Partnership
Animakit / Cyberdome for children
De Monfort University
Riga Technical University