Carlos Aceves-González

Design Requirements to Enhance the Postural Control in Patients with Severe Spastic Quadriplegia

The aim of this project was to identify a set of design requirements that could be used as a guide to generate effective products to tackle the negative effects of severe spastic quadriplegia (SSQ) with a focus on head and trunk control. This project was undertaken with the participation of a seven year old boy with SSQ who showed an extensor pattern, according to the WeeFIM had a functional performance of 26% and was unable to control his head or trunk when subjected to anti-gravitational positions. A series of tests were conducted regarding the analysis of segmental supports. External inputs such as video, sound, vibration, and different ways to collocate clothes were evaluated as part of this study. Among the most relevant design requirements identified from this study were the recommendation about the placement of external supports on the pelvic area and avoiding physical contact with the dorsal spine.

Usability Assessment as a Guide to Improve the System Design of a Corneal Topographer

The study aimed to assess the efficiency, efficacy and satisfaction of a redesigned portable corneal topography system to identify design solutions for system improvement. Twelve participants had to complete different tasks interacting with the software and the other elements of the system in a controlled scenario. After, a Retrospective Think Aloud was carried out focusing on the most challenging tasks during the system interaction. Finally, a satisfaction questionnaire was used to assess user perception. The most frequent errors and difficulties were identified along with the participants’ insights into the design elements for improvement of the system. Design solutions were generated to address software deficiencies and to improve the design of all aspects of the system. Usability analysis of software showed high relevance in the correct usage of the entire system, and along with the quick guide provides most of the feedback to understand the proper use of the handheld device.

Inclusive Smart Parking: Usability Analysis of Digital Parking Meter for Younger and Older Users

When technological advances include the interaction with interfaces through smartphones in order to access a service, some older adults may be left behind because their learning abilities are not taken into account. This research aimed to perform a usability evaluation of the digital parking meter service in Guadalajara, Mexico. Nineteen people participated in this study, divided into two age groups, older adults and younger people. The main evaluated task was to make the payment of 30 min of parking using any of the three methods offered by the system. It was observed that eight older adults decided to pay at a participating store. Half of the nineteen participants rated the system as regular based on the interaction they had with it. In general, the participants pointed out that it is not easy to use the system and a lot of time has to be spent to use it.

Usability Assessment of a Portable Corneal Topography Device

This study aimed to identify design and usability issues of a portable corneal topography device, its software and manual. A usability test with a think aloud protocol was carried out by sixteen experienced optometrists. After using the device, the PSSUQ and SEQ questionnaires were applied. The results show a positive mean score for all the usability dimensions, being the top three elements of the higher evaluation the interface quality, usefulness and overall satisfaction. Further, based on the results it is possible to improve the device design by reducing the size of the handgrip and changing the location of control for image capturing. Results also allow enhancing the feedback provided by software when using the device and organise better the information in its manual. Overall, this study strengthens the idea that implementing usability tests as a key element on the design process to recognizing the user’ needs, and thus, improving medical device systems.

Understanding the Experience of Teenagers as Bus Passengers for the Design of a More Inclusive Bus Service

The aim of this study was to understand the teenagers experience when using the bus service in Guadalajara City, Mexico. A total of thirty four teenagers aged from fifteen to nineteen participated in four structured focus groups. A previously designed service blueprint was used to show to participants the different stages and user actions of a door-to-door experience. They were asked to rate every interaction with the service according to the level of difficulty that they had experienced, after that each member of the group shared their views and reasons behind the assigned rating. Discussions were aimed at eliciting their views on those interactions where the bus service could be better. The most outstanding findings were that teenagers were able to identify issues and opportunity areas that could help to improve the service to be safer and more usable for other groups of users as the older people.

Assessment of How Inclusive Are Shopping Centers for Blind People

Due to the difficulties experienced by blind and weak-sighted people within shopping centers, these people often avoid to visit these spaces, being excluded from the same experience as sighted people. The aim of this study was to determine the current situation of Guadalajara’s shopping centers and to address guidelines to enhance inclusivity for people with visual impairment in shopping centers. Nine subjects, with sight disabilities, took part in a semi-structured interview to register their previous experience visiting shopping centers. After that, each subject executed a Verbal Protocol Analysis while walking through a shopping center. Data were transcribed and thematically analyzed. The results from this study suggest that Guadalajara’s shopping centers do not have an inclusive design for users with visual impairments. The participants of this study think their experience in shopping centers could be enhanced if, at least, people around them had an “inclusive culture” and offered them any help.

Assessment of Dimensional Needs for Designing Spaces for Wheelchair Users

The design of spaces must take in consideration among other things, the physical characteristics of the variety of users. Regarding buildings of public use this diversity is even more, being used to pay special attention to those users who are considered extremes in certain conditions. A segment among this variety is wheelchair users, who are particularly challenged by the built environment. In the context of this study, it is possible to find some handbooks with guidelines for designing spaces for people using a wheelchair. However, it is not clear where the dimensions come from since there is not a specific reference nor a database with dimensions of people in such condition in that context. The objective of this study was twofold: (1) to assess some design dimensions provided by two handbooks for designing spaces for people using a wheelchair; and (2) to identify and understand the problems that users of wheelchair face in performing some of their daily life activities. An anthropometric survey of 14 wheelchair users was performed and then their dimensions were contrasted against dimensions presented by the handbooks. After an interview about their daily life activities was made, to incorporate them in the formulation of the dimensional parameters for space design. The participants were asked to rate the difficulty level of some indoor and outdoor daily activities. The comparison of the results through coefficient of variation showed that the data used in the accessibility standards handbooks correlates with the mean of some of the dimensions taken in this study, for example, maximum height point near the knee (0.4%), height to the rim handle (9.2%), elbow to elbow width (1.2%). Overall the development of anthropometric data for special populations, in this case, wheelchair users contributes to the creation of a more inclusive society through the improvement of design guides, spaces and policies.

Exploring Packaging Lid Design Preferences Among Mexican University Students

The aim of this research was to evaluate Mexican students’ preferences of three redesigned lids. To reach the objective, a test was performed with three 3D printed lids that were redesigned based on valuable features regarding the overall shape, texture, and dimensions as found in previous studies. The most different characteristic among the lids was the overall shape. Eighteen female university students participated in this test, which consisted of opening a bottle using the three redesigned lids while placing their hand according to the user’s most comfortable position.

Needs and Use of the Information in the Environment by People with Visual Impairment

Most of the information we use in our daily commutes is presented in a visual way. However, this volume of information could be useless for people with a visual impairment, for them it exists some resources such as tactile flooring or braille information points that can constitute their main guiding tools in public spaces. Although, there is little information available about the extent of the real utility of these elements. Furthermore, it has been detected a gap of information regarding the characteristics of the commutes and needs of people with visual impairment.

A Step Towards Inclusive Design: Comfortable Maximum Height of a Bus Step for the Elderly Mexican Population

In Mexico, public transport has emerged as one of the most viable options for the transportation of elderly people; however, the characteristics of buses have become an obstacle to their use. The aim of this research was to determine the maximum comfort height of a bus step for the elderly Mexican population. Twenty-one older adults participated in this study. The participants were asked to select the height they considered comfortable from four step options, which were built taking as a reference the maximum height established by The General Norm of technical nature SM/IMTJ/002/2014. The results showed that there is a relationship between the performance of physical activities and the choice of step height. Considering the results, it is suggested to establish a measure between 15 and 20 cm for the first step of the bus.