G3ict International Forum Presentation

Slide 1: Wireless RERC
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies

Jim Mueller, Project Director, Customer Research

Slide 2: Atlanta, Georgia USA

Slide 3: Partner Organizations

• The Shepherd Center (building shown in image on right)
• Georgia Institute of Technology

Slide 4: Our Missions

Image: Person using PDA in a grocery store.

• Promote access to wireless technology by people with disabilities
• Encourage universal design of wireless products and services

Slide 5: Research Projects

• Consumer survey and network
• User-testing of products
• Policy approaches
• Advanced auditory interfaces

Slide 6: Development Projects

• Guidelines for alternative interfaces
• Location-based information services
• Wireless emergency communications
• Access to emergency assistance

Slide 7: Training and Dissemination Projects

• Promoting awareness among consumers and industry
• Conference on wireless emergency communications
• Building research capacity

Slide 8: User-Centered Research

• Survey of User Needs
• Consumer Advisory Network
• • 1100 people with disabilities

Slide 9: 2007 Survey Findings

1. 84% use wireless products
   Most important features:
2. • voice: 78%
   • e-911: 45%
   • text: 43%
   • email: 41%
   • internet: 35%
3. 70% use everyday
4. 24% have difficulty

Slide 10: Users’ Comments

Images: photos of people of varying age and ability

"I feel a sense of independence using my wireless devices.

Without them I’d have to depend on others."

Slide 11: Cognitive prosthetics (2001-06)

Image: photo of individual using a PDA to help with grocery shopping

• Testing in real-life situations
• Increasing community participation
• Reducing cost of personal assistants

Slide 12: Environment Affects Usability

Images depicting environment affecting usability: Man with weedeater and earphones; driving in the rain; man on cell phone while driving.

Slide 13: Consumer Product Testing

Image: researchers observe users testing wireless phone.

• Community of users test products and share knowledge and experience with each other through internet

Slide 14: Industry and Customer Education

Image: Man wearing gloves shows limitations of selecting options on a PocketPC phone.

• Understanding how design affects usability for customers with mental, visual, hearing, or manual limitations

Slide 15: Conclusion

Many Thanks! Please Contact Us:

Email

wirelessrerc@shepherd.org 

Phone Numbers

Office: (404) 367-1288

TTY/TDD: (404) 367-1347
Fax: (404) 350- 7596