Patterns for encapsulating speech interface design solutions for older adults

Abstract

An increasing number of older adults will need to use computers and computer related systems in the future to avoid social exclusion and enable them to live more independently in the future. There are therefore currently many interface designers searching for pointers to good design for older adults, a user group which is significantly different from the mainstream younger user groups mainly as a result of age associated impairments. There is currently no detailed body of knowledge from which interface designers can learn how to cater for this user group. This paper suggests a framework for encapsulating good interface design for older adults which is based on rigorous experimental work and sets out the findings in the form of patterns, a representation which has already been used successfully in the domain of software engineering and architecture.A robust framework for interface design is particularly important as those designing systems for older adults tend to be younger people who have no concept of what it is like interact with computerized systems as an older person with the age associated impairments.