Work - Volume 41, issue Supplement 1

Authors: Di Bucchianico, Giuseppe | Gregori, Marco | Rossi, Emilio

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In the Design for All Approach (DfA), an important phase of the design process consists in the individuation of the so-called “limit users”, that are that particular group of people with the most “critical” features for the autonomous fruition of a system or a product. Generally, however, it is not easy to identify them in a complete and objective way. A clear and complete outline of design requirements with respect to the “normal” use of a service, product or environment, moreover, is of fundamental importance in inclusive design. In fact, we know how bad design, that doesn’t take in account …the true “strategies of use”, may lead to situations of handicap, also serious, temporary or permanent, regardless if the user is a “disabled” person or not. In relation to this scenario, the paper shows the results of a research which has developed the “Ability/Difficulty Table” (“A/D Table”), a new tool useful to identify the so-called “limit users” and their needs with respect to different activities, linking the main “difficulties”, expressed by people, with the “abilities” required to carry out in autonomy the investigated activity. Show more

Keywords: design for all, limit users, user needs, design requirements

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0325-1362

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 1362-1367, 2012

Authors: Di Bucchianico, Giuseppe | Camplone, Stefania | Picciani, Stefano | Vallese, Valeria

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The widespread sense of spatial disorientation that can be experienced in many public places (buildings and open spaces), generally depends on a design approach that doesn’t take into account both the “communication skills” of the different parts of the spatial organization, both the variability of people and their ways of interacting with environments, orienteering themselves. Nevertheless, “not find the way” often has some obvious practical costs (loss of time, failure to achieve a target) and some more intangible, but no less important, emotional costs. That’s why the design of signage systems must take into account both the specificities of places …and the extreme variability of its users. The paper presents the results of a study on this specific issue. In particular, the study focuses on the description of some tools useful for the analysis and design of a signage system that is truly “for All”. Show more

Keywords: wayfinding, design for all, signage systems

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0326-1368

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 1368-1373, 2012

Authors: Steffan, Isabella Tiziana | Tosi, Francesca

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The paper deals with research areas and actions thanks to which the theoretical and methodological content of the “Ergonomics in Design” project can give a concrete contribution to the “Design for All” project, in particular with regards to the assessment and design of environments, the design of everyday products.

Keywords: Everyday product s Design, Urban Design, User needs

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0327-1374

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 1374-1380, 2012

Authors: Woodcock, Andree | Fielden, Simon | Bartlett, Richard

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Developers of assistive technology products need to ensure that their offerings meet the requirements of end users, and that usability issues have been discovered prior to manufacture. This may be difficult for SMEs (Small Medium Enterprises) who may lack the necessary skills and resources required to plan and conduct an evaluation. To assist SMEs in the assistive technology market, a stand alone, decision support system was developed to assist in the planning and evaluation of their products, taking into account the resources available, nature of the product being developed and stage of the design process. The responses given by the …designer to 40 multiple choice questions are matched against a database of 42 research methods. The methods achieving the highest score in relation to all questions are displayed as the final output. The paper describes the development of the User Testing Toolset (UTT), including the additional functionality provided to ensure that the evaluation methods were correctly matched and weighted to the responses. Show more

Keywords: research methods, usability testing

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0328-1381

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 1381-1386, 2012

Authors: Alves, Eduardo. J.W. | Melo, Leandro. E.V. | Silva, Sérgio. J. | Câmara, Jairo J.D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The systematic of device development for support in the period after surgery and for consolidation of fractures of lower limb, manufactured in aluminium alloy and PVC, integrated with quick fixes, cleanliness simplified, retractable, and adaptable to wide range of biotope. Has as value-added a possibility of transforming an axillary crutch in Canadian and, where necessary, the transformation of the Canadian crutch in cane to aid the balance and safety on return to walk independently. The proposed instrument enhances the limited movement capabilities and mobility by ensuring greater security and versatility of the beginning of the user’s recovery until the end …of his convalescence. Show more

Keywords: design, adaptability, flexibility, biotype, mobility

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0329-1387

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 1387-1393, 2012

Authors: Bittencourt, R.S. | de M.Guimarães, L.B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper presents the proposal of a model for planning a barrier free industrial facilities, considering the demands that inclusion requires, ranging from outside the factory (social environment), to the needs of the production system and the workstation. Along with literature review, the demands were identified in a shoe manufacturer that employs people with disabilities, and organized taxonomically in agreement with the structure for planning facilities. The results show that the problems are not primarily related to eliminating architectural barriers and factors aimed at preventing risks to people’s health and safety but, rather, are related to the company’s cultural environment, …because the main hazards are managerial. In special cases, it is suggested there is a need to adjust those parts of tasks that the worker cannot do, or even to re-schedule work so as to make it possible for employees with disabilities to perform their tasks. Show more

Keywords: social responsibility, accessibility, people with disabilities, planning, industrial facilities

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0330-1394

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 1394-1402, 2012

Authors: Costa, A.L. | Coura, P.V. | Gomes, M.M.A. | Peregrino, Y.R. | Sarmento, B.R | Sousa, R.A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Public space is endowed with undeniable social relevance, thus becoming a defining element of integration and interaction among its users. Aware of this importance the Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), linked to the Ministério da Educação e Cultura (MEC), develops the project “UFPB para todos: eliminando barreiras’’ (UFPB for all: removing barriers) that aims to conceive an architectural design of an accessible rout to UFPB’s campus I, and execute a pilot stretch of this route. This article aims to subsidize the preprojectual phase by understanding the needs of this campus’ users, through the concepts of ergonomics and universal design. Was …performed out direct observation of the space, and the methods of interviews and observation of user behavior were applied to a group of students with disabilities, through the techniques of assisted walking, photographic and video recording. Based on those, projective guidelines have been defined, which will contribute to the final project’s quality, so that this is not a simple application of the rule, but works free of segregating barriers. Show more

Keywords: architectural project, accessible rout, ergonomics, universal design, users needs

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0331-1403

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 1403-1408, 2012

Authors: Oliveira, Rayssa Cristiane | Elali, Gleice Azambuja

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This article discusses the quality of internal life space in apartments of residential buildings in the northeast region of Brazil, especially the possibility to adapt environments with small areas (according to local building codes) to the needs of different arrangements of families (considering 4 members per family). The research had a gradual approach and used multimethod strategy: (a) studying the universe of residential buildings whose apartment’s inner area is between 50 and 60m2 and were constructed in Natal-RN between 1998 and 2008, as well as not linked to social housing programs and occupied for more than one year; (b) selecting …a building to do a Post Occupation Evaluation (POE), using walkthrough, technical observation and questionnaires; (c) choosing of two housing units to do an ergonomic intervention (based in interviews and detailed measurements). The results show the technical possibility to modify the units, but these modifications have a high (social, economic and environmental) price, because in general the space of units projected is not flexible. So, the paper concludes that this type of enterprise needs to be rethought, since part of them is (social and ecologically) unsustainable. Show more

Keywords: minimum house spaces, post occupation evaluation (POE), ergonomic intervention, space flexibility, northeast of Brazil culture

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0639-1409

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 1409-1416, 2012

Authors: dos Santos, Larissa Nascimento | de Carvalho, Ricardo José Matos

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This article presents a diagnosis of luxury or superior hotels in the city of Natal, located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, in northeastern Brazil, in what concerns accessibility to the visually impaired. The main objective is to present the guiding principles to design actions and interventions that must be considered in the preparation or revision of technical standards and manuals of good practice in accessibility related to people with visual impairments who are hotel users. The survey showed that the hotels do not meet the normative indications of accessibility, their facilities are in-accessible (have prevented access) or …of reduced accessibility and its employees are not prepared to provide adequate hospital services for people with visual impairment. It was concluded that some of the accessibility problems faced by people with visual impairments are also faced by people in general. Show more

Keywords: ergonomics, accessibility, visual impairment, hotels, tourism

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0332-1417

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 1417-1424, 2012

Authors: da Silva Duarte, Luiz Carlos | Eckhardt, Moacir | da Motta, Giordano Paulo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The posture, a good organization and the proper layout of the environment and workplaces have a positive influence on the income of an employee. To develop the work it is used a methodology that addressed the study phases of the theory involving the subject, description of the current situation, preparation of conceptions, choice of design, implementation and reporting of results. Through the project of “Change of the layout of an office of a metallurgical company” there was an intervention in these reported aspects providing improvements in the office, regarding ergonomic, layout, workplace and lighting issues, bringing welfare to the official, …with the intent to improve its performance within the company and facilitating its actions, as the company’s customer service. The results provided improvements in layout, in the workplace and especially in comfort for the human resources that perform their activities. Show more

Keywords: layout, workplace, office, welfare, ergonomic

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0333-1425

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 1425-1429, 2012