Advanced Research Methods for HCIT © 2012 Department of Computer Science Advanced Topics in HCIT...

Advanced Research Methods for HCIT© 2012 Department of Computer Science

Advanced Topics in HCIT

Introduction to Universal Design

Bláithín Gallagher PhD

Marie Curie Research Fellow

Advanced Topics HCIT© 2013 Department of Computer Science

It can scarcely be denied that the supreme goal of all theory is to make the irreducible basic elements as simple and as few as possible without having to surrender the adequate representation of a single datum of experience.* Albert Einstein

Everything should be made as simple as possible.

But no simpler.

*from On the Method of Theoretical Physics, p. 183. The Herbert Spencer Lecture, delivered at Oxford (10 June 1933)


What is Universal?

Today, more than ever before, life must be characterized by a sense of Universal responsibility, not only nation to nation and human to human, but also human to other forms of life. Dalai LamaUniversal:- Adjective: .Of or pertaining to the universe; extending to, including, or affecting, the whole number, quantity, or space; unlimited; general; all-reaching; all-pervading; as, universal ruin; universal good; universal benevolence or benefice. Adapted or adaptable to all or to various uses, shapes, sizes, etc.Noun: A person or thing having universal effect, currency, or application, in particular.


What is Design?

“Design is what links creativity and innovation. It shapes ideas to become practical and attractive propositions for users or customers. Design may be described as creativity deployed to a specific end.’Design is powerful and profoundly influences our daily lives and our sense of confidence, comfort, and control.” Sir George Cox

DESIGN:-Noun - A plan or drawing produced to show the look and function or workings of a building, garment, or other object before it is built or made.Verb - Decide upon the look and functioning of (a building, garment, or other object), typically by making a detailed drawing of it.


Terminology

Barrier-free design: concerned with Accessfocus on disability and accommodating people with disabilities in the environment. e,g. Removing architectural barriers

Assistive technology: focus on compensating an individual function with a disability. Can range from eye glasses to a screen reader

Universal design takes into account all potential users not just user with disabilities


Definitions of Universal Design

Universal Design is the design of products and environments to be usable by everyone, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design Ron Mace

Universal Design is a framework for the design of places, things, information, communication and policy to be usable by the widest range of people operating in the widest range of situations without special or separate design. Most simply, Universal Design is human-centered design of everything with everyone in mind.The Institute for Human Centered Design

http://design.ncsu.edu/alumni-friends/alumni-profiles/ronald-mace



“Universal Design ("UD") increases usability, safety and health of environments, products and systems in response to the diversity of people and abilities. With attention focused on the changing demographics, differences in functional ability and preferences are part of everyday life experience. UD represents a paradigm for design of the built environment and products to address this diversity and increase use by all by introducing flexibility, choice and accommodating features to the physical world and business practices. The Global Universal Design Commission



Universal design makes things more accessible, safer, and convenient for everyone. Also called “Design for All” or “Inclusive Design,” it is a philosophy that can be applied to policy, design and other practices to make products, environments and systems function better for a wider range of people. It developed in response to the diversity of human populations, their abilities and their needs. The Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDeA Center)



UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Article 2 – Definitions:

““Universal design” means the design of products, environments, programmes and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.”

““Universal design” shall not exclude assistive devices for particular groups of persons with disabilities where this is needed.”


Design

Powerful InfluentialImpact

Social, Economic, Cultural, Environmental

Acknowledge Diversity of the human abilityWhat is normal?Enhance the human experience for all

Paradigm shift: From “Special” to “Inclusive”

Not possible to design for everybody

Examples of UD?


Example of Universal Design

Curb cut.Wheelchair users bicycles, baby carriages, grocery carts, wheeled luggage etc

Redesign was necessary

Now accommodates multiple users, Blind people & Other mobile users in varying climate conditions

Good universal design benefits everyone, Necessary to discover & meets user requirements


OXO Good Grip Peeler

Easier to use with reduced dexterity or weak grip strength

Collaboration with Smart Design

Revolutionized the market

Brought concept of universal design to mass market.

Involved extensive research

Ergonomic pioneers

Multiple Awards


Other examplesPedestrian Crossing:Visual Walk/ Don't WalkAudio: BeepsVibration: people with hearing impairment/dual sensory loss

TV Captions: originally for people with hearing loss but also used by many users eg language learning, developing literacy skills, watching TV on mute

Access for AllWider doors/Flat entrances Lever door handles; Automatic Doors; Acccessible Toilets Placement of Electrical sockets/light switches Good light levels, Clear contrast (signs, doors, wall sockets et)


Usability and aesthetics are mutually compatible.


Compare Medical Model Interactional Model

Can you say what is wrong with you? Can you say what is wrong with society?

What complaint causes your difficulty in holding, gripping or turning things?

What defects in the design of everyday equipment such as jars and bottles causes you difficulty in holding turning or gripping them?

How difficult is it for you to get about your immediate neighbourhood on your own?

What are the environmental constraints which make it difficult for you to get about in your immediate neighbourhood?

Does your disability make it difficult for you to travel by bus?

Do poorly designed buses make it difficult for someone with your disability to use them?

Did you move here because of your disability problem?

What inadequacies in your housing caused you to move here?

Oliver’s Survey (1990)

Carol Gill, Chicago Institute on Disability Research.


Myths

One product fits all

Only achieved by specialist designers only

Can be applied at the end of the design process

A synonym for compliance with accessible design standards

Only disabled and elderly people benefit

Leads to aesthetically unattractive products


Facts about Universal Design

Aims to improve the original design concept Maximise accessibility & usability of a product Aspires to benefit every member of the populationPositive user experience of simple and intuitive design.Incorporates a user centered approach

Requires an awareness and appreciation of the diverse abilities of people.

It is a process not a product


Universal design is...

Not necessarily a specialist subject.

Not a list of specifications;

Not an add-on design approach.

Not just about 'one size fits all'

Not a replacement to the design of products targeted at specific markets

Not just a synonym for `'accessibility”


Policy

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – General Obligations:

State Parties are “to undertake or promote research and development of universally designed goods, services, equipment and facilities ……………… to promote their availability and use, and to promote universal design in the development of standards and guidelines.”


Policy

Council of EuropeResolution 2001: On the incorporation of Universal Design into the design curriculumDraft Resolution 2007: On achieving full participation through Universal DesignDisability Action Plan: Universal Design identified as “vital element of the implementation strategy” with specific reference to curriculum, ICT, built environment, products and services.


EU e-Inclusion PolicyRiga Ministerial Declaration June 2006

e-Accessibility - make ICT accessible to all

Ageing - empower older people

e-Competences - knowledge, skills and lifelong learning approach

Socio-Cultural e-Inclusion - minorities, migrants and marginalised young people

Geographical e-Inclusion - people in rural, remote and economically disadvantaged areas

Inclusive eGovernment - better, more diverse public services for allhttp://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/einclusion/policy/index_en.htm


Principles of Universal Design


Principles of Universal Design 1/7

1:Equitable Use: The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.Guidelines:1a. Provide the same means of use for all users: identical whenever possible; equivalent when not. 1b. Avoid segregating or stigmatizing any users. 1c. Provisions for privacy, security, and safety should be equally available to all users. 1d. Make the design appealing to all users.


Principles of Universal Design 1/7/

ICTAccess for people unable to use the mouse or touch screen always available via keyboardAccess for people with vision loss

via screen readers & screen magnification Access for people with hearing loss

synchronized captions for video content & transcripts for audio.



2: Flexibility in Use--The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.

Guidelines:2a. Provide choice in methods of use. 2b. Accommodate right- or left-handed access and use. 2c. Facilitate the user's accuracy and precision. 2d. Provide adaptability to the user's pace.



"The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities."

Content should be accessible via a wide variety of devices Not dependent on users ability to be accurate or be speed determined

Access via Braille displays or specialized software Allow for any timed response, like a web application time-out;



3: Simple and Intuitive Use--Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.Guidelines:3a. Eliminate unnecessary complexity.3b. Be consistent with user expectations and intuition.3c. Accommodate a wide range of literacy and language skills.3d. Arrange information consistent with its importance.3e. Provide effective prompting and feedback during and after task completion.



"Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level."

consistent design, clear instructions in simple and concise language, Feedback during and after task completion.

Reduces stress and comprehension difficulties



4: Perceptible Information--The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.Guidelines:4a. Use different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant presentation of essential information.4b. Provide adequate contrast between essential information and its surroundings.4c. Maximize "legibility" of essential information.4d. Differentiate elements in ways that can be described (i.e., make it easy to give instructions or directions).4e. Provide compatibility with a variety of techniques or devices used by people with sensory limitations.



"The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities."

Provides multiple modes of presentation of essential information Differentiate essential information from peripheral or secondary content.

Functionality is readily and intuitively apparent.



5: Tolerance for Error--The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.Guidelines:5a. Arrange elements to minimize hazards and errors: most used elements, most accessible; hazardous elements eliminated, isolated, or shielded.5b. Provide warnings of hazards and errors.5c. Provide fail safe features.5d. Discourage unconscious action in tasks that require vigilance.



"The design minimizes hazards and the adverse effects of accidental or unintended actions."

Fault tolerant. Mistake will either be autocorrected or user will receive warning Verifications will be are required for actions with risk eg deleting data

Crucial for students with cognitive disabilities or those with motor difficulties.Errors should be easily identified, discoverable and addressed.



6: Low Physical Effort--The design can be used efficiently and comfortably, and with a minimum of fatigue.Guidelines:6a. Allow user to maintain a neutral body position.6b. Use reasonable operating forces.6c. Minimize repetitive actions.6d. Minimize sustained physical effort.



"The design can be used efficiently, comfortably, and with a minimum of fatigue."

Intuitive web page layouts that follow norms and conventionsEnsures movement through controls is logical and easily accomplished.Reasonable visual and spatial contrast between the functional areas of web pagesControls can be easily and effectively navigated using the keyboard alone. Keystroke short-cuts for major functionality. (where possible)



Principle 7: Size and Space for Approach and Use--Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulations and use regardless of user's body size, posture or mobility.Guidelines:7a. Provide a clear line of sight to important elements for any seated or standing user.7b. Make reach to all components comfortable for any seated or standing user.7c. Accommodate variations in hand and grip size.7d. Provide adequate space for the use of assistive devices or personal assistance.



"Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of the user's body size, posture, or mobility."

Provide sufficient space between web page controls, including site navigation controls, and a large enough target area.

Helps users with difficulties to using mouseProvide logical, visual and interactively distinct navigation and functional controls.


Authors

The above seven principles were compiled by advocates of universal design in 2007, listed in alphabetical order: →

Bettye Rose Connell Mike JonesRon Mace Jim Mueller Abir Mullick Elaine Ostroff Jon Sanford Ed Steinfeld Molly Story Gregg Vanderheiden


Principles of UD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJ74zaKYo4k


Conclusion

Broaden our understanding and experienceIncorporate wide spectrum of user needs Flexible productsEasier to use by all Lifelong learning opportunity

Independent Living

Social Inclusion

Social Wellbeing

Equal rights

Anti-discrimination


8 Lessons for creating social impact

1. Undervalue Your Own Ideas. 2. Don't Pursue Perfection. 3. You Are Not the Only Creative in the Room. 4. Your Perspective Is Not Automatically Unique. 5. Learn From Your Elders. 6. The Web Will Not Save You.7. You Better Be In It for the Long Haul. 8. Don't Celebrate Too Early.

Robert Fabricant


SummaryApproach to design that aims to ensure that the object under design can be used by virtually everyone, regardless of their level of ability or disability.

What is “normal”?Continuum of ability

When more of us have a “disability” than not, universal design will indeed become universal. Denis Lembrée

Aim is to achieve full participation in society for everybody through Universal Design

Advanced Research Methods for HCIT © 2012 Department of Computer Science Advanced Topics in HCIT...

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