Executing its proposed activity plan, the SHAPES Consortium has presented a set of guidelines and recommendations for the design of digital solutions for older individuals, in order to considerably improve their user experience.
EDGE contributed to the analysis of the applicable standards and regulations and assisted in the identification of accessibility, usability and easy interaction attributes as important for the design of SHAPES digital solutions. The analysis allowed also the recognition of the value of Gregg Vanderheiden’s Universal Design approach for the development of assistive technologies that support specialised solutions for users with specific needs. Twenty–two heuristics were then identified for web, mobile and multimodal (gestures, voice and haptic) platforms that consider the specific requirements of an older user. Combining different techniques and methods, EDGE and the SHAPES partners will consider the guidelines and recommendations now proposed in the process of designing and adapting the SHAPES digital solutions, realised in a co-creation model with the solutions’ users themselves.
The SHAPES guidelines and recommendations for the creation of digital solutions, delivering superior user experience and satisfaction to older individuals, are an important guide for EDGE’s ongoing work, namely to ensure that older individuals do fully benefit from the eCare Platform to significantly improve their autonomy, independence and quality of life.