OldGen

Abstract

Mobile devices are currently difficult to customize for the usability needs of elderly users. The elderly are instead referred to specially designed "senior phones" or software add-ons. These tend to compromise in functionality as they attempt to solve many disabilities in a single solution.We present OldGen, a prototype framework where a novel concept enables accessibility features on generic mobile devices, by decoupling the software user interface from the phone's physical form factor. This opens up for better customization of the user interface, its functionality and behavior, and makes it possible to adapt it to the specific needs of each individual. OldGen makes the user interface portable, such that it could be moved between different phone hardware, regardless of model and brand. Preliminary observations and evaluations with elderly users indicate that this concept could address individual user interface related accessibility issues on general-purpose devices.

Older adults’ use of mobile device: usability challenges while navigating various interfaces

“…Results of some previous studies on feature phones and desktops may explain this result. On the one hand, consistent with the results of some previous studies on physical buttons of feature phones (Caprani, O'Connor, and Gurrin, 2012;Olwal et al 2011;Kurniawan 2008), large buttons also work for touchscreen interfaces when helping with directing attention. On the other hand, the placement of tab menus on the top can facilitate menu navigation to some extent.…”

“…Thus visual differences and feedbacks between the touchable and the non-touchable text and icons should be further enhanced to facilitate older adults' process of distinguishing. Although some previous studies indicated that older adults preferred the use of raised buttons, which provide visual highlighting and immediate tactile feedback (Zhou, Rau, and Salvendy 2012;Sulaiman and Sohaimi 2010;Olwal, Lachanas, and Zacharouli 2011;Kim et al 2007), our results suggest that designers should be careful with the use of floating action buttons. Participants reported that they seldom noticed or tapped this button though the floating action button provides an obvious visual cue through the use of shadows.…”

Effecten van motiverende elementen in instructieve teksten

“…Ook hebben we ons gericht op een specifieke doelgroep: senioren tussen de 60 en 70 jaar. Senioren hebben vaker dan jongere mensen te kampen met problemen die het gebruik van een dergelijk apparaat en van de instructies bemoeilijken, zoals een teruggang in cognitieve vaardigheden en lichamelijke beperkingen als verslechterd zicht (Arning & Ziefle, 2009;Hanson, 2009;Kurniawan, 2007;Medeiros, Crilly & Clarkson, 2008;Olwal, Lachanas & Zacharouli, 2011). Daarnaast gaan senioren over het algemeen minder gemakkelijk om met de technologische ontwikkelingen die vertaald worden in de producten van deze tijd, omdat ze er niet mee zijn opgegroeid.…”