Gradually including potential users: A tool to counter design exclusions

Abstract

The paper describes an iterative development process used to understand the suitability of different inclusive design evaluation tools applied into design practices. At the end of this process, a tool named Inclusive Design Advisor was developed, combining data related to design features of small appliances with ergonomic task demands, anthropometric data and exclusion data. When auditing a new design the tool examines the exclusion that each design feature can cause, followed by objective recommendations directly related to its features. Interactively, it allows designers or clients to balance design changes with the exclusion caused. It presents the type of information that enables designers and clients to discuss user needs and make more inclusive design decisions.

User Experience of Brazilian Public Healthcare System. A case study on the accessibility of the information provided.

“…In general, it takes into account any restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal. This approach helps to classify the design problems encountered in the service provided by correlating design and older users capability (Zitkus et al, 2018;Lim and Sato, 2006).…”

“…By considering disabilities from an interaction point of view, it is easier to build the connection between the design and the exclusion it can cause (Zitkus et al, 2018). A design difficult to read can exclude a huge percentage of the population.…”

Considerations on the advances in studies on clothing products development for older adults with Parkinson’s disease

“…18 This happens through technologies that provide independence in dressing and undressing, 19 studies on the new profile of the older adults and their relationship with clothing products 20,21 and the investigation on rehabilitation processes and practices that target the factors that lead to the non-completion of an action or the poor performance in activities. 22,23 These factors can foster the development of more inclusive and accessible designs that promote autonomy and meet the particular user needs. 6,23…”

User involvement in the electromedical device development process of small companies

“…Product specifications interfere directly on the manner users interact with the product (determining and even limiting the actions of the product use), therefore, it is desirable to analyze and take into consideration the usability of the product since the early stages of the design process (Chang et al, 2017). To achieve usability, various visual interaction techniques can be applied to enlighten user needs and requirements, such as virtual or physical simulations (Zitkus et al, 2018). In addition to the research of physical abilities, usability studies evaluate human cognition, as can be seeing on the studies of Clark et al (Clark et al, 2017).…”