Universal Usability Designing Computer Interfaces for Diverse User Populations

Innovative designers and researchers have begun to design computers that address the real needs of a diverse user population, including older and younger users, users with perceptual, cognitive, and motor impairments, and those that are economically disadvantaged.

Universal Usability describes the goal of designing computer interfaces that ar4e easy for all to use. It is a concept which many decry as elusive, impossible or impractical, but this book, which addresses usability issues for a number of diverse user groups, proves that there is no challenge in interface design that cannot be addressed. Individuals with cognitive, motor and perceptual impairments, as well as older, younger and economically disadvantaged users, face a variety of complex challenges when interacting with computers. However, with user involvement, good design practice, and thorough testing, computer interfaces can be successfully developed for any user population.

This book, featuring key chapters by Human-Computer Interaction luminaries such as Jonathan Lazar, Ron Baecker, Allison Druin, Ben Shneiderman, Brad Myers and Jenny Preece, examines innovative and groundbreaking research and practice, and provides a practical overview of a number of successful projects which have addressed a need for specific user populations. Chapters address topics including age, economic, and language diversity, visual impairment, and spinal chord injuries, and include trailblazing projects that examine usability issues for users with Down Syndrome, Amnesia, Autism Spectrum Disorders and Alzheimer's Disease. Coverage extends to projects where multiple categories of needs are addressed.

These chapters represent real-world projects, being carried out on different continents, by authors representing diversity - interfaced researchers and software developers in university, industrial and government settings. In the practical spirit of the book, guidelines and suggestions are provided for those attempting similar projects, and implications considered for stakeholders such as policymakers, researchers, and designers. Ideal for students of HCI and User-Interface design, and essential reading for usability practitioners, this fascinating collection demonstrates that computer interfaces can truly be designed to meet the needs of every user.

Universal Usability is the concept of designing computer interfaces that are easy for all users to utilize. Universal Usability includes key chapters by Human-Computer Interaction luminaries such as Jonathan Lazar, Ron Baecker, Allison Druin, Ben Shneiderman, Brad Myers and Jenny Preece. The text examines innovative and groundbreaking research and practice, and provides a practical overview of a number of successful projects which have addressed a need for specific user populations. Chapters in this book address topics including: age diversity, economic diversity, language diversity, visual impairment, and spinal cord injuries. Several of these trailblazing projects in the book are amongst the first to examine usability issues for users with Down Syndrome, users with Amnesia, users with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and users with Alzheimer's Disease, and coverage extends to projects where multiple categories of needs are addressed.

Ideal for students of HCI and User Interface Design, and essential reading for usability practitioners, this fascinating collection of real-world projects demonstrates that computer interfaces can truly be designed to meet the needs of any category of user.