Walter Correia

Observation based analysis on the use of mobile applications for visually impaired users

The current efforts to specify an usability guideline for accessible mobile applications are sparse and they are still far to present a concrete pattern. Our previous work carried out a broad survey to consolidate the findings of these efforts in a unique list with 36 requirements, 13 of them focused on vision impairments. In this paper we show the results of an observation-based analysis involving visually impaired volunteers, whose aim was to complement this review and confirm if the lack of these requirements in fact affects the use of mobile applications.

Virtual Reality Immersion: An Important Tool for Diagnostic Analysis and Rehabilitation of People with Disabilities

This paper sets out the case for the importance of using virtual reality immersion for diagnostic analysis and rehabilitating people with disabilities. To do so, a review of the literature was undertaken by examining articles published between 2000 and 2012. The results show that browsing in virtual immersion environments simulates real-world situations, with the advantage that this enables there to be full control over the variables analyzed and consequently over the health aspects involved. Furthermore, when using multisensory channels, the human-task-system interface tools enable there to be simultaneous treatment of multiple morbidities, which characterizes there having been an important advance made in the functional independence of people with disabilities.

Toward accessibility with usability: understanding the requirements of impaired uses in the mobile context

When applications intend to support accessibility, aspects of usability must be reviewed to adapt or extend common functional requirements that are implemented to ensure an easy use of applications. However, initiatives to develop guidelines for accessible mobile applications are recent and several approaches present only suggestions rather than a concrete list of requirements. This work presents an ample study on this subject, analyzing 247 scientific and technical articles to identify requirements that are discussed related to different types of impairments. This identification and further consolidation are carried out in a contextualized way via a classification schema proposed in this work. An observation based on analysis with real users is then performed to confirm and extend the initial requirements list and support our understanding about the limitations and needs of impaired users regarding the use of mobile technology. As result, this paper presents the main points of a guideline proposal for functional requirements, which should be considered by mobile applications to ensure accessibility with usability.

Usability requirements for mobile accessibility: a study on the vision impairment

When multimedia applications intend to support accessibility, aspects of usability must be reviewed to adapt or extend common functional requirements that are implemented to ensure an easy use of applications. Furthermore, these requirements must be identified and analyzed in a contextualized way, since different types of impairments require different types of requirements. This work analyzed 247 scientific and technological articles to identify requirements that are being considered to different types of impairments. The collected information was consolidated and classified according to groups of impairments. As result, this paper brings a checklist proposal focused on requirements for vision impaired users that should be considered by mobile multimedia applications to ensure accessibility with usability.

Exergames: the role of ergonomics and design in helping to control childhood obesity through physical and functional exercise program

In the area of the design and physiotherapy, the using of virtual technologies for immersion of users are spreading. And this affirmation extends to several areas of knowledge. In games, the quote is, resources are being used to work cognitive skills, attention, memory, among other factors beside the children. Currently, at the expense of usability, low cost, virtual technologies of perception and interaction, as Nintendo Wii, X-Box 360, among others, arises therefore a new class of games called Exergames, which is the union of physical activity the game. This fact gives users the development of sensory and motor skills through virtual reality mechanisms suitable for certain needs. This literature review aimed to provide an overview of the current context of Exergames, especially in use for controlling childhood obesity, which is growing alarmingly, with some features, applications and possibilities for use at the design and other areas such as physiotherapy.

Accessibility Devices for Mobile Interfaces Extensions: A Survey

The development of mobile applications that consider accessibility can uniquely make use of software extensions to provide special interfaces to people with impairments. However, such extensions are limited so that the use of external devices is a natural alternative. The current market provides several accessibility devices that can be coupled to mobile devices, extending their interface abilities. However, there is not a work that compares such devices and assists the job of developers in finding an adequate device in accordance with their needs. Considering this scenario, this paper analyzed 60 scientific articles and over 250 relevant sites to identify devices that facilitate the use of applications running on mobile operating systems for impaired people. At the final of the process, 15 products were analyzed and compared against predefined features. Apart the number of existing devices for accessibility, it is possible to conclude that the market is still requiring a higher variety of options and further researches to provide a better level of accessibility for impaired users.

Usability for Accessibility: A Consolidation of Requirements for Mobile Applications

Differently of the Web Accessibility Guidelines, which are already consolidated as a reference, the initiatives to develop guidelines for accessible mobile applications are recent and several approaches present only suggestions rather than a concrete list of functional requirements. This work analyzed 247 scientific articles to identify requirements that are being considered to different types of impairments. The collected information was consolidated and classified according to groups of impairments. As result, this paper presents the main points of a checklist proposal for functional requirements, which should be considered by mobile applications to ensure accessibility with usability.

Design as a Tool for Managing Risks and Vulnerabilities Regarding Artifacts of Public Safety

It is on man’s interaction with the environment, taking into account all objects whether or not they are natural that design is focused. However, the relationship between the quantity and quality of what is produced and the creative processes of design do not always bring about the responses that the end user wants. This paper puts forward a proposal for designing a tool that may contribute to design methodologies for evaluating the safety of artifacts the use of which are restricted in the activity of Law Enforcement by Managing their Risks and Vulnerabilities. The paper sets out to include the knowledge of an expert in this subject area who is working on the risks and vulnerabilities that are present so as to obtain the most appropriate artifact possible for the demand proposed. The process of making such artifacts adequate and selecting them is permeated by such a large number of factors that they can only be matched, in amount, to the number of possible combinations between pieces of a chessboard. Hence the importance of producing a scale of values by using a rational and practical tool.

Ergonomic evaluation of usability with users: application of the technique of cooperative evaluation

This paper presents the application of a cooperative evaluation, technical evaluation performed ergonomic usability with users in the Learning Management Systens (LMS) used at the Instituto Federal de Pernambuco (IFPE). The data collected in the assessments were analyzed with users from Nielsen usability heuristics. The results showed that the environment has evaluated a large number of usability problems.

The design in the development of exergames: a new game for the contribute to control childhood obesity

Obesity is increasing alarmingly worldwide, especially in childrens audience, due to the adoption of sedentary habits. The exergames are a new class of digital games that have arisen over the possible use of technology, low cost, to unite physical activity to video games such as Nintendo Wii, X-Box 360, among others. And these have been gaining ground due to immersion of users, working their cognitive skills, attention and memory. This study presents a new game, the PEGGO developed by Federal University of Pernambuco, with data supporting the use for this type of game in order to contribute to help control childhood obesity.