Task focused R&D
Workpackages 4 and 5
The task focused Research & Development was concentrated in
the workpackages 4 and 5. Together, they formed one of the two
pillars under the AAC Internet Applications built in workpackage 6.
WP4 User Interface: Design and models for evaluation
This workpackage has addressed the proper approach in measuring the user-needs in the earliest stage of the project, and will do the same for the evaluations in a later stage of the project.
Through questionnaires, task-descriptions for evaluation and such, this workpackage offered in-depth, theoretical and practical support in the interaction between the users (WP1) and the R&D activities in this project (WP2-7).
ESRI, the leader of this workpackage, has an outstanding
experience in models for user involvement and is also very
experienced in preparations of evaluations.
WP5 Navigation and data management support
It isn't easy to introduce new IT based communication media succesfully to multiple impaired users. The over-all ease of use and the simplicity of the system are essential. They are the more important, and the harder to achieve, for the groups of multiple impaired users that this project is targeting.
Based on the user needs and requirements analysed and specified in workpackages 1 and 4, this workpackage engaged in the design and delivery of supportive solutions to the indicated problems, with the following key-points in mind:
- Emphasis on prominent simplicity and clarity in the over-all appearance and user interface design
- Maximum and consequent re-use of management methodology between similar tasks, so that the user can learn and apply the same or similar strategies and skills for these tasks
- Configurable functionality and user interface - allowing the system and its supportive functions to be tailored to the individual user's needs, preferences and previous experiences and skills
- Levelling of configurable functions and tools so that products can be delivered with the relevant balance between adaptability and complexity - according to the specific user needs and the ambition and competence level of his/her supportive environment.
A number of assistive tools and technologies needed to be integrated with each other, with previously established activities and tasks, and finally with the tools needed to perform the specific tasks for accessing the Internet functionality and services.
The following specific tasks are dealt with:
- General and appropriate speech/sound representation support (in
addition to text) in the email program and web browser
- Generally available graphical symbol representation support
(based on the resources developed in WP2 and WP3)
- Generally available and configurable orientation and navigation
support, to support the orientation and navigation within and
between the different tasks and subsystems
- Generally available alternative input support for users
depending on
- scanning switch control
- on-screen direct selection with a pointing device
- possibly also command string based direct selection, via keyboard (macro) and equivalent.
On top of the above functions a number of specific tasks are
dealt with, including:
- e-mail and web link address books - maintenance and presentation
- sending and receiving mail - management issues (including the
handling of attached files)
- tools for more efficient message input - pre-stored phrase
libraries etc.
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