An exploration on device usability, especially for the physically challenged user. Meant to provoke discussion at developer meetups.

1. USABILITY/ACCESSIBILITY
Randall Arnold
Nokia Developer Ambassador

2. Presented by Nokia Developer and
DVLUP, our exciting new developer
incentive program

3. In support of the 2013 Accessibility
Summit, April 19 through 20
http://accessibilitysummit.org/

4. PREMISE
Smartphones and other personal devices are increasingly offering us more
ways to connect with each other and the resources we deem important.
But as the emphasis on touch grows, and buttons disappear, how are we
impacting people with physical challenges?

5. “A DAY MADE OF GLASS”
Corning

6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OptqxagZDfM

7. THE USER FUTURE LOOKS
GOOD, IF YOU CAN SEE IT
• How would sightless people benefit from the
advances shown in the previous video?
• What can be done beyond slick touch
interfaces?

8. WHAT’S IN THE WORKS…
Haptics. In the near future, surfaces will raise
and contort to meet a user’s needs.
Pushbuttons will emerge from flat surfaces on-
the-fly.
Perceptual computing. Intel, Microsoft and
others are focusing on gesture and expression
recognition to enable natural modes of user
engagement.
Mood detection. Sensors will adjust our
experiences and engagement modes based
on how we feel. Tense? Your smartphone will
deflect incoming calls that aren’t emergencies.

9. FUTURE ADVANCES WILL BE GREAT… WHAT
DO WE DO NOW TO ACCOMMODATE
PHYSICALLY-CHALLENGED USERS?
For discussion

10. SOME APPROACHES
Typically designers are told to remember color
to signal intent…
…so how do we accommodate the color-blind
users? The sightless?
“pause” “stop” “go”

11. “HOW BLIND PEOPLE USE INSTAGRAM”
Tommy Edison, the Blind Film Critic (TommyEdison.com)

12. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1e7ZCKQfMA

13. CONCLUSION
When we see a success story like Tommy Edison’s, it’s easy to assume
“problem solved”. But there’s still more that we can do in the area of
usability and accessibility. When you develop software, ask yourself how it
could be used by those with physical challenges.

14. THANK YOU
Randall Arnold
Nokia Developer Ambassador