Mobile Applications for Participation at the Shopping Mall: Content Analysis and Usability for Persons with Physical Disabilities and Communication or Cognitive Limitations

The aim of this exploratory study was to determine the important features in content and usability of existing mobile applications evaluating environmental barriers and facilitators (EBF) to participation for persons with physical disabilities presenting mild communication or cognitive limitations. A rigorous process based on a user-centered design approach led to the identification of two relevant mobile applications to evaluate the EBF. An accessibility expert, the research team as well as five users then tested the mobile applications in a shopping mall. A thematic content analysis of the research team’s and users’ comments established 10 categories of key features that adequately respond to the needs of the clientele targeted in this study. In terms of content, granularity and contextualization of the information provided were considered important. With respect to usability, relevant features were place finding, rating system, presentation of results, compatibility, user-friendliness, aesthetics, credibility of the information as well as connectivity/interactiveness. The research team and the users agreed on some aspects such as aesthetics, but had different perspectives on features such as the rating system or the connectivity/interactiveness of the application. The users proposed new features suggesting that the existing mobile applications did not correspond to all their needs

What’s behind the Dashboard? Intervention Mapping of a Mobility Outcomes Monitoring System for Rehabilitation

Training and follow-up for older adults who received new assistive technology can improve device use adoption and function, but there is a lack of systematic and coordinated services. To address this gap, the Internet-based MOvIT+™ was designed to provide remote monitoring and support for assistive technology users and their caregivers. This paper presents the intervention mapping approach that was used. In step 1, we established a project governance structure and a logic model emerged from interviews with stakeholders and a systematic review of literature. In step 2, a modified TRIAGE consensus process led to the prioritization of thirty-six intervention components. In step 3, we created use cases for all intervention end users. In step 4, the intervention interface was created through iterative lab testing, and we gathered training resources. In step 5, a two-stage implementation plan was devised with the recruited rehabilitation sites. In step 6, we proposed an evaluation protocol. This detailed account of the development of MOvIT+™ demonstrates how the combined use of an intervention mapping approach and participatory processes with end users can help linking evidence-based, user-centered, and pragmatic reasoning. It makes visible the complexities behind the development of Internet-based interventions, while guiding future program developers.Medicine, Faculty ofNon UBCOccupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Department ofReviewedFacultyResearche