1. 1 Chapter 4 Assistive Technology (AT) & User Interface

2. 2 Assistive Technology Used by individuals with disabilities in order to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible Used by individuals with disabilities in order to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible Devices used by people with disabilities to access computers. Devices used by people with disabilities to access computers. Two types: Two types: device device service service

3. 3 Assistive Technology: Device Any item or piece of equipment used to maintain or improve the functional capabilities of a person with a disability Any item or piece of equipment used to maintain or improve the functional capabilities of a person with a disability Many high-tech and low-tech devices are now available to assist people with disabilities with daily living tasks, communication, education, work, and recreation Many high-tech and low-tech devices are now available to assist people with disabilities with daily living tasks, communication, education, work, and recreation

4. 4 Assistive Technology: Device Example: Example: people with limited hand function may use a keyboard with large keys or a special mouse to operate a computer people with limited hand function may use a keyboard with large keys or a special mouse to operate a computer people who are blind may use software that reads text on the screen in a computer-generated voice people who are blind may use software that reads text on the screen in a computer-generated voice people with low vision may use software that enlarges screen content people with low vision may use software that enlarges screen content

5. 5 Assistive Technology: Device Example: (cont…) Example: (cont…) people who are deaf may use a TTY (text telephone) people who are deaf may use a TTY (text telephone) people with speech impairments may use a device that speaks out loud as they enter text via a keyboard people with speech impairments may use a device that speaks out loud as they enter text via a keyboard

6. 6 Assistive Technology: Service Support people with disabilities or their caregivers to help them select, acquire, or use AT devices. Support people with disabilities or their caregivers to help them select, acquire, or use AT devices. Such services also include functional evaluations, training on or demonstration of devices, and purchasing or leasing devices. Such services also include functional evaluations, training on or demonstration of devices, and purchasing or leasing devices.

7. 7 The Impact & Benefits of Assistive Technology Based on a preliminary study (National Council on Disability, 1993) surveyed 136 individuals with disabilities: Based on a preliminary study (National Council on Disability, 1993) surveyed 136 individuals with disabilities: majority of infants with disabilities benefited by having fewer health problems majority of infants with disabilities benefited by having fewer health problems school age children were able to remain in a regular classroom & reduce their use of school- related services school age children were able to remain in a regular classroom & reduce their use of school- related services

8. 8 The Impact & Benefits of Assistive Technology Based on a preliminary study (National Council on Disability, 1993) surveyed 136 individuals with disabilities: (cont…) Based on a preliminary study (National Council on Disability, 1993) surveyed 136 individuals with disabilities: (cont…) working-age persons were able to: working-age persons were able to: reduce dependence on family members reduce dependence on family members reduce dependence on paid assistance reduce dependence on paid assistance increase earnings increase earnings Elderly persons were able to: Elderly persons were able to: reduce dependence on others reduce dependence on others reduce dependency on paid persons reduce dependency on paid persons avoid entering a nursing home avoid entering a nursing home

9. 9 Categories of Assistive Technology Aids for Daily Living: Aids for Daily Living: Self help aids for use in activities such as eating, bathing, cooking, dressing, toileting, home maintenance, etc. Self help aids for use in activities such as eating, bathing, cooking, dressing, toileting, home maintenance, etc. Augmentative or Alternative Communication (AAC): Augmentative or Alternative Communication (AAC): Electronic and non-electronic devices that provide a means for expressive and receptive communication for persons with limited or no speech. Electronic and non-electronic devices that provide a means for expressive and receptive communication for persons with limited or no speech.

10. 10 Categories of Assistive Technology Computer Access: Computer Access: Input and output devices (voice, Braille), alternate access aids (headsticks, light pointers), modified or alternate keyboards, switches, special software, etc. that enable persons with disabilities to use a computer. Input and output devices (voice, Braille), alternate access aids (headsticks, light pointers), modified or alternate keyboards, switches, special software, etc. that enable persons with disabilities to use a computer. This category includes speech recognition software. This category includes speech recognition software.

11. 11 Categories of Assistive Technology Environmental Control Systems: Environmental Control Systems: Primarily electronic systems that enable someone with limited mobility to control various appliances, electronic aids, security systems, etc. in their room, home or other surroundings. Primarily electronic systems that enable someone with limited mobility to control various appliances, electronic aids, security systems, etc. in their room, home or other surroundings. Home/Worksite Modifications: Home/Worksite Modifications: Structural adaptations, fabrications in the home, worksite or other area (ramps, lifts, bathroom changes) that remove or reduce physical barriers for an individual with a disability. Structural adaptations, fabrications in the home, worksite or other area (ramps, lifts, bathroom changes) that remove or reduce physical barriers for an individual with a disability.

12. 12 Categories of Assistive Technology Prosthetics and Orthotics: Prosthetics and Orthotics: Replacement, substitution or augmentation of missing or malfunctioning body parts with artificial limbs or other orthotic aids (splints, braces, etc.). Replacement, substitution or augmentation of missing or malfunctioning body parts with artificial limbs or other orthotic aids (splints, braces, etc.). There are also prosthetics to assist with cognitive limitations or deficits, including audio tapes or pagers (that function as prompts or reminders). There are also prosthetics to assist with cognitive limitations or deficits, including audio tapes or pagers (that function as prompts or reminders).

13. 13 Categories of Assistive Technology Seating and Positioning: Seating and Positioning: Accommodations to a wheelchair or other seating system to provide greater body stability, trunk/head support and an upright posture, and reduction of pressure on the skin surface (cushions, contour seats, lumbar). Accommodations to a wheelchair or other seating system to provide greater body stability, trunk/head support and an upright posture, and reduction of pressure on the skin surface (cushions, contour seats, lumbar). Service Animals: Service Animals: any guide dog (for visually impaired and blind individuals), signal dog (for hearing impaired or Deaf individuals), or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. any guide dog (for visually impaired and blind individuals), signal dog (for hearing impaired or Deaf individuals), or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability.

14. 14 Categories of Assistive Technology Aids for Vision Impaired: Aids for Vision Impaired: Aids for specific populations including magnifiers, Braille or speech output devices, large print screens, closed circuit television for magnifying documents, etc. Aids for specific populations including magnifiers, Braille or speech output devices, large print screens, closed circuit television for magnifying documents, etc. Aids for Hearing Impaired: Aids for Hearing Impaired: Aids for specific populations including assistive listening devices (infrared, FM loop systems), hearing aids, TTYs, visual and tactile alerting systems, etc. Aids for specific populations including assistive listening devices (infrared, FM loop systems), hearing aids, TTYs, visual and tactile alerting systems, etc.

15. 15 Categories of Assistive Technology Wheelchairs/Mobility Aids: Wheelchairs/Mobility Aids: Manual and electric wheelchairs, mobile bases for custom chairs, walkers, three-wheel scooters and other utility vehicles for increasing personal mobility. Manual and electric wheelchairs, mobile bases for custom chairs, walkers, three-wheel scooters and other utility vehicles for increasing personal mobility. Vehicle Modification: Vehicle Modification: Adaptive driving aids, hand controls, wheelchair and other lifts, modified vans, or other motor vehicles used for personal transportation. Adaptive driving aids, hand controls, wheelchair and other lifts, modified vans, or other motor vehicles used for personal transportation.

16. 16 User Interface in Assistive Technology AT requires different UI from ordinary technologies. AT requires different UI from ordinary technologies. Tangible user interfaces (TUIs) are a favorable medium for the implementation of AT. Two types of design related to AT design: Universal Inclusive main differentiating factor is their means of increasing accessibility

17. 17 User Interface in Assistive Technology: Universal Focusing on the usability of the technology Making it more accessible for all potential users Strives to create designs which are usable by the entire population, regardless of age, race, disability, gender, ability level, perceptions, values, and so on. Can’t be fully realized for certain user groups will always require technology to be developed specifically for them

18. 18 User Interface in Assistive Technology: Inclusive Focusing on the capabilities of the intended users Building technologies that are accessible to them but not necessarily accessible or usable by other groups of users (Steinfeld, 1994). This design defines AT better for it helps bridge the gap between user capabilities and the demands of mainstream technology

19. 19 User Interface in Assistive Technology: Inclusive AT is not limited to augmenting mainstream technology for mainstream tasks It can also help particular classes of impaired user engage in tasks specific to their impairment.

20. 20 Design and Technology When a tool to carry out a task demands more capabilities from a user group than they possess, one of a four ways may solve the problem. Four ways in which a user can go about simplifying the structure of a task (Norman, 1988): a. a. keep the task much the same, but provide mental aids b. b. use technology to make visible what would otherwise be invisible, thus improving feedback and the ability to keep control c. c. automate, but keep the task much the same d. d. change the nature of the task

21. 21 Design and Technology Assistive technology could be used to augment one or more existing tools. Falls under Inclusive design. Skill demanded by tool AT User’s capabilities

22. 22 Design and Technology The usability of the tool could be increased through universal design Reducing the skills demanded from the user. Skill demanded by tool User’s capabilities

23. 23 Design and Technology An assistive technology could automate the task, thus placing zero or minimal demand on the user E.g.: a gas cooker that turns itself off after a set time. Skill demanded by tool User’s capabilities

24. 24 Design and Technology Inclusive design could be used to create a new set of tasks which didn’t exist previously Subsume the tasks when needed to be simplified. E.g.: adding a wheelchair ramp where there were stairs before, rather than building a stair-climbing wheelchair. Skill demanded by tool AT

25. 25 Design and Technology Many forms of AT user interfaces such as electronic and graphical display. Many forms of AT user interfaces such as electronic and graphical display. Focus on Tangible UI for it can offer more than other AT UIs. Focus on Tangible UI for it can offer more than other AT UIs.

26. 26 Designing Tangible User Interfaces Definition of TUI: Definition of TUI: system which gives physical form to digital information and/or computational functions. There are two broad design philosophies as stated earlier: Universal  Universal  tasks are rendered easier by making technology more usable for all Inclusive  tasks are made possible for certain user groups by building assistive technologies for that user group

27. 27 Universal Design of Tangible User Interfaces Seven defining principles of universal design (Connell et al., 1997): 1. 1. Equitable Use 2. 2. Flexibility in Use 3. 3. Simple and Intuitive Use 4. 4. Perceptible Information 5. 5. Tolerance for Error 6. 6. Low Physical Effort 7. 7. Size and Space for Approach and Use

28. 28 Universal Design of Tangible User Interfaces 1. 1. Equitable Use: Hand-sized objects, which have a high contrast with their environment, are likely to be useable by a greater proportion of the population than very small objects (excluding some motion impaired users) that fade into their surroundings (excluding some visually impaired users) Simultaneously appealing to all users’ sense of play.

29. 29 Universal Design of Tangible User Interfaces 2. 2. Flexibility in Use: can be used equally well by both left and right- handed users. can also be customized according to the skill level of the user: novice users being presented with the minimal set of physical objects necessary to complete their task expert users being given the facility to create abstractions and have more freedom in their choice of physical-digital mappings.

30. 30 Universal Design of Tangible User Interfaces 3. 3. Simple and Intuitive Use: TUIs make use of the skills users have developed over a lifetime of experience in the real world. This is complemented by the virtual component of TUIs, which can both suggest possible actions and give interactive feedback regarding the effects of user actions.

31. 31 Universal Design of Tangible User Interfaces 4. 4. Perceptible Information: TUIs can communicate using: tactile interaction (using static features such as object weight and texture) haptic interaction (using time-varying features such as skin pressure and muscle tension). Multiple modes of expression can be used for redundant presentation of essential information.

32. 32 Universal Design of Tangible User Interfaces 5. 5. Tolerance for Error: TUIs primarily make use of space as their medium It gives a clear advantage in terms of error tolerance because physical objects can easily be rearranged in space

33. 33 Universal Design of Tangible User Interfaces 6. 6. Low Physical Effort: physical objects of a TUI must not be light enough to be moved accidentally. This requirement must be balanced against the requirement that extended use of the TUI does not cause fatigue the weights of the tangibles should be chosen to reflect this balance.

34. 34 Universal Design of Tangible User Interfaces 7. 7. Size and Space for Approach and Use: The physical objects themselves must be large enough to be easily manipulated. However, the choice of object size should also take into consideration the spatial area required by all of the physical objects the full interaction space needs to be reachable by any standing or seated user.

35. 35 Inclusive Design of Tangible User Interfaces Six defining principles of inclusive design (Nielsen, 1993): 1. 1. Utility 2. 2. Usability 3. 3. Accessibility 4. 4. Aesthetics 5. 5. Trust 6. 6. Stigmatisation and Desirability

36. 36 Inclusive Design of Tangible User Interfaces 1. Utility: conceiving both new means for members of the particular user group to perform existing tasks in a manner superior to existing methods new tasks that provide functional or emotional value to the specific members of that group.

37. 37 Inclusive Design of Tangible User Interfaces 2. 2. Usability: To improve the user experience. phrased in terms of the five ‘E’s of usability: Effective Efficient Engaging Error tolerant Easy to learn

38. 38 Inclusive Design of Tangible User Interfaces 3. 3. Accessibility: the fit between the available tools and the capabilities of the user focused on the removal of access barriers.

39. 39 Inclusive Design of Tangible User Interfaces 4. 4. Aesthetics: Appealing, attracting and artistic. what one user group may find aesthetic might not necessarily be so for other user groups E.g.: older adults versus teenagers

40. 40 Inclusive Design of Tangible User Interfaces 5. 5. Trust: The computer-like basis of TUIs may arouse suspicion and distrust in elderly users who are not accustomed to such technology or who have had bad experiences in the past. a clear benefit must be seen before trust can occur. The advantage of TUIs in this respect is their direct and often task specific nature, which makes them more evidently beneficial than a general-purpose computer.

41. 41 Inclusive Design of Tangible User Interfaces 6. 6. Stigmatization and Desirability: Physical aids are often the source of stigmatization for older adults – walking and hearing aids are good examples. Novel interaction devices are more likely to arouse interest than stigmatization Acting as a facilitator of conversation rather than condescension. This in turn is likely to increase the desirability of such devices.