Image-type representation: A preliminary study on preferences of users with intellectual disabilities. Issue 110 (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rocha, Tânia; Bessa, Maximino; Bastardo, Rute; Magalhães, Luís
• Is Part Of: International journal of human-computer studies. Issue 110(2018)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 11
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: User-centered design -- Image-type representation -- People with intellectual disabilities -- Digital content; Human-machine systems -- Periodicals; Systems engineering -- Periodicals; Human engineering -- Periodicals; Human engineering; Human-machine systems; Systems engineering; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 004.019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhcs.2017.09.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1071-5819

Abstract

Highlights: A study on user's with intellectual disabilities preferences for image-type representation, which can be used in a digital navigation context, is presented Image representation was design according to three types of representation (object (simpler to decoding), action and universe (complex to decoding). Participants with intellectual disabilities preferred objects representative images for the four categories tested (music, sports, games, movies). Abstract: Previous findings have shown that users with intellectual disabilities navigate the Web more easily and with greater interest when images are used to represent hyperlinks (Rocha, 2008; 2014; Rocha et al., 2012). Although images can be better for navigation purposes, there is a need to understand how these images should be designed to enhance users' interaction with digital content for this particular group of people. The purpose of this study is to measure the user's preference for image-type representation (Object, Action and Universe), within four different categories (music, movies, sports, games). The sample consisted of 20 individuals with intellectual disabilities, their ages ranging from 22 to 49 years old. The results showed that they preferred less complex images, namely object representative images, and that categories had no effect.