R1: Assessment of User Needs

Project Director: Jim Mueller

Timeframe: 2001- October, 2006

Overview

A primary activity of this project is the Survey of User Needs (SUN) to identify user needs relative to mobile wireless products and services, such as mobile telephones, text messengers, global positioning devices, and environmental controls.  All SUN respondents are invited to join the Consumer Advisory Network (CAN) and participate in focus groups, product evaluations, and resource development.  The project continues to invite responses from persons with disabilities across the country.

Strong consumer response

To date, over 1200 persons with disabilities have responded to the SUN.  Survey respondents represent great diversity in age and abilities of current and potential users of mobile wireless products and services.  Over 800 survey respondents have joined the Consumer Advisory Network.  CAN members are offered opportunities to participate in focus groups to assess the usability of wireless electronic products including cell phones, text messengers, smart phones, and global positioning (GPS) devices. To date, 14 focus groups have been conducted to explore in greater depth issues of usefulness and usability identified through the SUN.

“Your Guide to Choosing a Cell Phone”

Information gathered through the survey and focus groups has been applied to the development of a performance-based assessment tool to enable people with disabilities to choose mobile phones that best fit their specific needs and abilities.  After testing and refinement with CAN input, “Your Guide to Choosing a Cell Phone” has been distributed to people with disabilities, as well as wireless industry partners.

• "Your Guide to Choosing a Cell Phone"

Research Results Available

This project has revealed that people with disabilities are significant users of wireless technologies, and the wireless industry is eager to learn more about this important market.  A key activity of this project is sharing the wealth of user information received through user contacts.  Project staff regularly disseminate findings through publications and conferences.  In addition, the Results of the Survey of User Needs (SUN) are available by request to researchers wishing to access results of the latest Survey results by demographic characteristics and/or use of specific wireless technologies.

• Results of the Survey of User Needs (SUN)

User Personas

To further facilitate industry awareness of their customers with disabilities, this project has developed personas to depict the diversity of customers, as well as to share insight into their lives and engage awareness of their needs in the process of wireless technology development.

• view the personas