Systematic Review of Usability Engineering Management Studies for the Aging Population -UEM4Agin

Usability management is one of the core elements of any software to make it efficient and effective. Unfortunately, most of the time usability as well as its management is neglected while developing software that may result as ineffective and inefficient software design. In different eras different researchers performed studies to highlight the management of usability and to show its importance. Due to the increase in the aging population, the concern for the aging population assistances of each equipment becomes to be necessary. Number of Steps has been taken so far to help out the aging population but remained limited to visual considerations, such as stronger contrasts or larger characters on the displays and printing, or such physical characteristics as the ease for pressing buttons. In this paper, our focus is to perform a systematic review (SR) of usability management specifically for the aging population/senior citizens and its limitations. The systematic review aims to address three research questions: 1) What is the current status of usability management/usability engineering management research for the aging population/senior citizen around the globe? As we found that the literature on usability management for the aging population began in 1992 and increased thereafter, there is a lack of organized research teams and dedicated usability management journals for researching the aging population. High-impact theoretical studies are scarce. On the application side, no original and systematic research frameworks have been developed. The understanding and definition of usability and usability management is not well synchronized with international norms. 2) What are the existing methods, approaches, frameworks and practices that are currently being used in usability engineering management for the aging population? 3) What are the limitations of usability engineering management for the aging population/senior citizen? Purpose of this study is to identify the current research problems, existing studies for providing valid solution to these problems and will find out the limitations of existing work for covering the existing problems in usability engineering management specifically for the aging population. This will be done by performing quantitative literature of different databases and all the results will be gathered by analyzing and summarizing the statistical data using “R Studio”. Remedial techniques for handling the limitation of usability engineering management will be planned in future for the aging population

ICT skills acquisition by older people: motivations for learning and barriers to progression

This paper reports findings from one strand of an extensive research project investigating digital engagement of older people and the risks to sustained usage of information and communication technologies (ICTs). The factors that motivate older people to learn about ICTs, the barriers they face in the learning process and with on-going ICT use are examined. Research methods included focus groups (28 ICT learners aged 50+); questionnaires and interviews with seven 50+ learners; three interviews with ICT tutors; and observation sessions in three different ICT learning and support environments in England and Scotland. Findings show that while learning to use ICTs to ease the mechanics of daily life (e.g. on-line shopping) was a motivating factor for some, the more powerful drivers tended to be those applications seen as enriching quality of life e.g. using ICTs to keeping in contact with family and friends and using ICTs in pursuit of passions and interests. The key barriers relate to fear of using a computer; learning suppo rt ; quality and provision of ICT training; cost of training and technology; memory problems, and technology barriers. Implications of these findings for service providers, ICT designers and policy makers are identified and discussed

Implementation of a Wiki-based Information and Communication System for Academia Europaea

In recent years, online collaboration tools such as wikis have experienced a tremendous expansion. Their success and popularity is due to their simple and efficient content creation facilities. Moreover, the formatting syntax is basically easy to learn allowing users to easily create and edit web content and thus share knowledge with each other.Despite these advantages, the content creation process is still obscure if authors belong to a computer inexperienced user group. In this paper we present our experiences, challenges, and problems with a specific application of a wiki-based system called the Academia Europaea Information and Communication System. Furthermore, key solutions for bypassing user interaction barriers are discussed throughout this paper

Accessibility to mobile interfaces for older people

Proceedings of: 5th International Conference on Software Development and Technologies for Enhancing Accessibility and Fighting Info-exclusion, DSAI 2013. Took place in November 13-15, 2013, in Vigo, Spain. The event web site is http://dsai2013.utad.pt/Accessibility is a major concern in our society nowadays. However, technology is always one step ahead and new devices appear before we can address the accessibility problems for the older ones. People with disabilities are not the only ones that are being excluded by technologies. Indeed, there is an exponential growth of the elderly population that suffers from age-related disabilities. Accessibility issues should be in mind for developers. Unfortunately, addressing these issues is even harder in new devices like mobile phones and tablets where there is not a proper set of guidelines focusing on this domain. This work provides: (1) a set of guidelines to keep in mind in order to achieve accessibility in mobile interfaces for older people. This checklist is the result of a review study of the literature, standards and best practices that are being performed in this area of knowledge, (2) use of this accessibility checklist aimed at elderly people, a survey of three mobile native Apps on android platform has been carried out, these Apps have as aim to modify the default interface for another more accessible one.Publicad

Digital inclusion: the vision and reality

The benefits of a digitally inclusive society are vast and the need for such inclusion is now a requirement for full participation in our society. While the basic concept of universal digital inclusion is simple, the reality is a long way from the vision. Despite efforts to reduce it, inequality of access still exists. The beneficiaries of a digital society are not just the individual, but all stakeholders in the wider society. While the challenges to achieve a fully inclusive digital society are considerable, the knowledge of how to create such a society already exists. The creation of local venues f or inclusively designed ICT (Information and Communications Technology), support and learning in familiar places along with the harnessing of political will could make such a society a reality rather than a vision. With the cooperation of all stakeholders , actualisation of the vision of a digitally inclusive society, while challenging, will yield opportunities that eclipse the cost of implementation

Towards your Parents\u27 Social Network Platform: Design of a User Interface for the Age of Retirement

Most developed countries face an aging population, leading to various challenges due to this demo-graphic change. On average, people turn from working life to retirement at the age of 65. Related changes in their social environment threat their health, i.e. due to perceived social exclusion. Online Social Networks (OSN) may help them to overcome this problem. However, usability issues due to user interfaces (UI) perceived as inconsistent and con-fusing among other reasons prevent their adoption by the elderly so far. While UI design for elderly people has been discussed in the literature, few results exist on the \u27younger\u27 transition agers be-tween 55-75. Therefore, in the present paper an approach for the design of UI for OSN specific for transition agers is presented and evaluated in a qualitative study. The results indicate that with specific, but not extraordinary UI adjustments, OSN could be made easily usable and more attractive for them

Digital inclusion - the vision, the challenges and the way forward

This paper considers the vision and aspiration of digital inclusion, and then examines the current reality. It looks beyond the rhetoric to provide an analysis of the status quo, a consideration of some facilitators and challenges to progress and some suggestions for moving forward with renewed energy and commitment. The far-reaching benefits of digital inclusion and the crucial role it plays in enabling full participation in our digital society are considered. At the heart of the vision of universal digital inclusion is the deceptively simple goal to ensure that everyone is able to access and experience the wide-ranging benefits and transformational opportunities and impacts it offers. The reality is a long way from the vision: inequality of access still exists despite many national campaigns and initiatives to reduce it. The benefits and beneficiaries of a digital society are not just the individual but all stakeholders in the wider society. Research evidence has shown that the critical success factors for successful digital participation are (i) appropriate design and (ii) readily available and on-going ICT (Information and Communication Technology) support in the community. Challenges and proven solutions are presented. The proposition of community hubs in local venues to provide user-centred ICT support and learning for older and disabled people is presented. While the challenges to achieve digital inclusion are very considerable, the knowledge of how to achieve it and the technologies which enable it already exist. Harnessing of political will is necessary to make digital inclusion a reality rather than a vision. With the cooperation and commitment of all stakeholders actualisation of the vision of a digitally inclusive society, while challenging, can be achieved and will yield opportunities and rewards that eclipse the cost of implementation

Accesibilidad web centrada en el usuario: recomendaciones para garantizar el acceso a la información gubernamental para los adultos mayores

Introduction: This article is the result of the research project “User-Centered Web Accessibility: Recommendations for Ensuring Access to Governmental Information for Older Adults”, developed at the University of Cauca-Colombia in 2023. Problem: Despite the importance of web accessibility, web pages are not adapting to the evolution of web accessibility proposed by the international consortium, which can limit access for users with physical and/or cognitive limitations. Objective: This article presents a set of recommendations for the design and development of government websites specifically for older adults, to ensure access to government information and take into account their health, physical, and mental condition. Methodology: A relationship is established between the limitations of older adults and the recommendations of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, with the aim of proposing specific design and development guidelines for government websites to counteract a specific limitation. Results: The implementation of these recommendations will allow government portals to have greater acceptance among older adult users. In addition, a case study was conducted in which these recommendations were validated and adjusted, which allowed for access to government information as a means of protecting fundamental rights. Conclusion: This article highlights the importance of web accessibility and proposes specific recommendations for the design and development of accessible government websites for older adults. Originality: This article presents a specific approach to web accessibility for older adults and proposes recommendations that differ from WCAG guidelines. Limitations: The proposed recommendations focus on web accessibility for older adults and do not address the limitations of other groups with physical and/or cognitive limitations. In addition, they were validated and adjusted in a specific case study and may require additional adjustments in other contexts.Introducción: El artículo es producto de la investigación “Accesibilidad web centrada en el usuario: recomendaciones para garantizar el acceso a la información gubernamental para adultos mayores”, desarrollada en la Universidad del Cauca-Colombia en el año 2023. Problema: A pesar de la importancia de la accesibilidad web, las páginas web no se están adaptando a la evolución de la accesibilidad web propuesta por el consorcio internacional, que puede limitar el acceso para usuarios con limitaciones físicas y/o cognitivas. Objetivo: Este artículo presenta un conjunto de recomendaciones para el diseño y desarrollo de sitios web gubernamentales específicamente para adultos mayores, para garantizar el acceso a la información gubernamental y tener en cuenta su estado de salud, físico y mental. Metodología: Se establece una relación entre las limitaciones de los adultos mayores y las recomendaciones de las Pautas de Accesibilidad al Contenido Web (WCAG) 2.2, con el objetivo de proponer pautas específicas de diseño y desarrollo para sitios web gubernamentales para contrarrestar una limitación específica. Resultados: La implementación de estas recomendaciones permitirá que los portales gubernamentales tengan una mayor aceptación entre los usuarios adultos mayores. Además, se realizó un estudio de caso en el que se validaron y ajustaron estas recomendaciones, lo que permitió el acceso a la información gubernamental como medio para proteger los derechos fundamentales. Conclusión: Este artículo destaca la importancia de la accesibilidad web y propone recomendaciones específicas para el diseño y desarrollo de sitios web gubernamentales accesibles para adultos mayores. Originalidad: Este artículo presenta un enfoque específico de la accesibilidad web para adultos mayores y propone recomendaciones que difieren de las pautas WCAG. Limitaciones: Las recomendaciones propuestas se centran en la accesibilidad web para adultos mayores y no abordan las limitaciones de otros grupos con limitaciones físicas y/o cognitivas. Además, fueron validados y ajustados en un estudio de caso específico y pueden requerir ajustes adicionales en otros contextos

The role of a social context for ICT learning and support in reducing digital inequalities for older ICT users

This paper examines the key role of formal and informal social support in reducing digital inequalities by enabling the digital participation of older people. It is based primarily on research conducted on the (anonymised) project in the UK over a four year period working with over 1000 older people using mixed research methods within a participative framework. It is further informed by other studies. The rich, multi-faceted evidence reveals on the one hand the extensive learning and support needs and requirements of older users of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and, on the other, the dearth of reliable and on-going support provision. ICT learning and support in the UK relies primarily on the goodwill of friends and family and on the availability of staff and volunteers in community venues, such as public libraries. Arrangements are often ad hoc and variable in quality and reliability. In a facilitated workshop, the learning and ICT support needs of older people and their preferred forms of provision were documented and deliberated. This generated a clear set of user requirements. To meet these requirements a proposition for community-based ICT support provision has been developed and refined. The paper concludes with consideration of this proposition which offers a powerful way to reduce the widespread digital inequalities among older people