2016, Article / Letter to editor (vol. 9745, (2016), pp. 381-388)Card sort studies can facilitate developers to create an information structure for their website or application. In addition, this human-centered design method provides researchers with insights into the target group’s mental models regarding the information domain under study. In this method, participants sort cards, with excerpts of the website’s or information source’s information on them, into piles or groups. Even though the method lends itself for large numbers of participants, it can be difficult to include sufficient participants in a study to ensure generalizability among large user groups. Especially when the potential user group is heterogeneous, basing the information structure on a limited participant group may not always be valid. In this study, we investigate if card-sort results among one user group (nurses) are comparable to the results of a second (potential) user group (physicians/residents). The results of a formative card sort study that were used to create an antibiotic information application are compared to the results of a second card sort study. This second study was conducted with the aim of redesigning the nurse-aimed information application to meet the (overlapping) needs of physicians. During the first card sort study, 10 nurses participated. In the second card sort study, 8 residents participated. The same set of 43 cards were used in both setups. These cards contain fragments of antibiotic protocols and reference documents that nurses and physicians use to be informed about the use and administration of antibiotics. The participants sorted the cards in individual sessions, into as many categories as they liked. The sorts of both user groups were analyzed separately. Dendrograms and similarity matrices were generated using the Optimal Sort online program. Based on the matrices, clusters were identified by two independent researchers. On these resulting clusters of cards, overlap scores were calculated (between nurse and resident clusters). Differences are compared. The results show that overall, residents reached higher agreement than the nurses. Some overlap between categories is observed in both card sort data matrices. Based on the nurses’ data, more and more specific clusters were created (which in part were observed in the larger residents’ clusters). Based on our findings we conclude that a redesign may not be necessary. Especially when the target group with the lowest prior knowledge levels of the information domain is included in the card sort study, the results can be translated to other groups as well. However, groups with little knowledge will more likely result in lower agreement in the card sorts. Therefore, a larger sample and/or including participants with low and high knowledge of the information domain is advisable.
2016, Article / Letter to editor (Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 9737, (2016), pp. 109-119)Smart wearable devices are integrated our everyday lives. Such wearable technology is worn on or near the body, while leaving both hands free. This enables users to receive and send information in a non-obtrusive way. Because of the ability to continuously assist and support activities, wearables could be of great value to persons with a disability. Persons with a disability can only benefit from the potential of wearables if they are accessible. Like other devices, platforms, and applications, developers of wearables need to take accessibility into account during early development, for example by including multimodal interfaces in the design. Even though some accessibility guidelines and standards exist for websites and mobile phones, more support for the development of accessible wearables is needed. The aim of our project is to develop a set of guidelines for accessible wearables. Three approaches are combined to develop the guidelines. A scan of the literature was done to identify publications addressing the accessibility of wearables and/or development guidelines. Semi-structured interviews were held with developers of accessible wearable technology. Based on these first activities, a draft set of guidelines is created. This draft is evaluated with developers and researchers in the field of universal design, accessibility, and wearables. Further, the draft is evaluated with visually impaired people (VIP) in interviews. Based on these results, a final set of guidelines will be created. This set is evaluated against an actual project in which apps are developed for VIP. This study is in progress; first results are presented (literature study, semi-structured interviews, first draft of guidelines) and a call for participation in the Delphi study is issued
2016, Article / Letter to editor (ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, (2016), pp. 1-4)In this paper, we present the rationale and approach for establishing guidelines for the development of accessible wearables. Wearable technology is increasingly integrated in our everyday lives. Therefore, ensuring accessibility is pivotal to prevent a digital divide between persons who have and persons who lack access to these devices, caused by their abilities. We present a project in which guidelines are created that enable developers to design accessible wearable apps and technologies. These guidelines will be created with developers who have experience with designing accessible technology and/or wearables. In addition, users who (potentially) experience problems with accessibility of wearables (persons who have a disability) are involved in the development of the guideline, to ensure their validity from an end-user perspective.
2016, Article / Letter to editor ((2016), pp. 45-48)New health technologies are not accessible to all users due to the circumstantial or permanent disabilities some users have. Especially in healthcare, attention must be paid to accommodating all potential users or patients. With the smart use of multimodal systems and multimedia solutions, a broader patient group can be reached. In this paper, we lay out the concept guidelines for accessible wearable technology. Wearables are used for many purposes, including health. The research on these guidelines is in progress, first recommendations based on preliminary outcomes are given.