The potential of adaptive interfaces as an accessibility aid for older web users

Abstract

Supporting effective and enjoyable Web usage by people with sensory, motor and cognitive impairments requires more than just accessible Web content. There is an additional task of matching people with an accessibility solution that best accommodates their particular needs -which, especially for older Web users, may fluctuate in severity, number and combination. Lack of awareness of one's own accessibility needs and the solutions that may exist to accommodate them may lead to a reduced quality Web browsing experience or even abandonment.This paper discusses the difficulties in matching people with less severe, but multiple, impairments with the most appropriate accessibility features at a given time, and explores the role of automated or semi-automated adaptations as a solution for this problem. We review related work, and report on the early stages of our own work conducted to prove the concept of adaptations for accessibility in the specific context of supporting Web users with age-related capability decline. We also consider the potential ethical issues of automated and semi-automated accessibility adaptations on the wellbeing of older Web users, and how these might best be managed in a suitably sensitive way.

Assistive Typing Application for Older Adults Based on Input Stumble Detection

“…While these guidelines are very useful, needs can differ among individuals [13]. To respond to older adults' various needs, researchers have considered adaptive solutions based on user profiles such as user behaviors [14], knowledge [15], and skills [16].…”

Towards Accessible Interactions with Pervasive Interfaces, Based on Human Capabilities

“…4 It is important to keep in mind that adopting practices such as User-Centred Design or Design for All can motivate developers to improve accessibility and provide useful data on how this might be achieved. However these practices improve the design, not technical development processes-the latter being the focus here.…”

“…Individuals' fluctuating capabilities can lead to a lack of awareness of accessibility needs and the appropriate solution for them [4]-so a system that can help close this gap by matching a person with appropriate accessibility accommodations at a given time can provide a valuable extension to existing accessibility support. While employing inclusive design practices is important, since perceptions of an interface and the situations in which applications are used are variable, no single interface can satisfy the needs of all users at all times.…”

“…It may also be necessary to present a choice of adaptations in a given situation when the computer cannot determine a "clear winner." Finally, the user's feedback after an adaptation has been applied-namely acceptance, rejection or a request for further help-would be taken into consideration in much the same way as it is in systems such as those discussed elsewhere [4].…”

“…do we have a responsibility to alert the user to suspected medical problems?) These are key matters and are being considered in parallel to the technical work described here [4].…”