Authors:Gabriela Vieira, Carina Manita, Conceição Ribeiro, Manuela Pires Rosa Pages: 180 - 211 Abstract: This paper studies the digital literacy of elderly tourists who have chosen the Algarve as their destination. Quantitative methods were applied to analyze part of the data collected within the project ACCES4ALL - Accessibility for All in Tourism (2017-2019). In this project, questionnaire surveys were answered by 851 senior tourists aged 60+ at the International Airport of Faro. The present research has the specific goal of identifying and analyzing what characteristics influence the use of the Internet, QR code and NFC technology. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. The results show that as the age of the surveyed elderly tourists increases, their Internet use decreases. The higher the respondent's level of education, the higher their internet use. Elderly tourists without disabilities use the Internet more than those with disabilities. Few surveyed elderly tourists are familiar with the use of QR codes and NFC technology. In general, it was possible to observe that the elderly tourists surveyed have a high digital literacy concerning the use of the Internet. Further research will analyse if these senior tourists use digital tools for travel planning. PubDate: 2022-11-30 DOI: 10.17411/jacces.v12i2.314 Issue No:Vol. 12, No. 2 (2022)
Authors:Lauren Hughes, Shireen Kanakri Pages: 212 - 283 Abstract: While the low-vision population in America continues to increase, few empirical studies have been completed investigating how environmental factors affect a low-vision person’s ability to perceive the interior environment accurately. By using quantitative research methods to understand the critical relationship between contrast levels within the built environment and the ability of the low-vision and normal-sighted population to perceive that environment accurately, researchers can investigate safer and more inclusive interior spaces. Specifically, this study explores the environmental factor of contrast and how varying levels of contrast within interior spaces might affect the behaviour of low-vision participants within the interior environment. The findings demonstrate a preference among normal-sighted and low-vision participants for high-contrast environments, and their innate cues of high contrast. PubDate: 2022-11-30 DOI: 10.17411/jacces.v12i2.331 Issue No:Vol. 12, No. 2 (2022)
Authors:Hülya Soydaş Çakır, Anıl Tosun Pages: 284 - 319 Abstract: The concept of Universal Design aims for the utilization of every product and environment for every individual without the need for further adaptation. The frequent occurrence of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in societies has necessitated a more innovative and exploratory approach to the field of design. Many of the products and built environments encountered by individuals with MS in their daily lives fall short in terms of meeting safety and accessibility needs. It is essential to establish the correct design approach so that users with MS can meet their needs easily and safely without depending on others. In this research, the problems encountered by users with MS in their residences were evaluated within the framework of Universal Design principles, and design recommendations were stated using a sample case in Turkey. Throughout the study, accessibility challenges, mobility, fatigue and balance problems, vision and lighting conditions, climatization and noise sensitivity, and psychological issues were primarily considered. The residence of the sample user with MS was examined in detail, and an in-depth interview was conducted during the research. The difficulties and life routines of the user with MS were observed and identified. Home design solutions associated with Universal Design principles were represented so that the users with MS have safe and accessible housing regarding their physiological and psychological conditions. The highlighted proposals may contribute to architectural design to make modifications for comfortable and safe housing in related cases having similar symptoms with MS. Future research can benefit from these findings and proposals to provide innovative approaches, develop policies, and conduct interdisciplinary studies on related design issues. PubDate: 2022-11-30 DOI: 10.17411/jacces.v12i2.339 Issue No:Vol. 12, No. 2 (2022)
Authors:Nurul Nurwulan, Gjergji Selamaj Pages: 320 - 334 Abstract: School furniture design is based on the right-handed population since left-handedness is uncommon. In the classroom, left-handed students are forced to use the chair that was designed for the right-handed. The awkward posture caused by the improper chair may contribute to musculoskeletal discomfort. This study aimed to evaluate the benefit of using an ambidextrous chair to accommodate left-handed students. Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was given to 14 subjects to identify their health problems related to the chair in the classroom. The NMQ showed that students often perform awkward postures and experience pain afterwards. To validate the ambidextrous chair, the subjects were asked to perform writing while sitting on both the existing and modified chairs. Then, the angles of lateral flexion of their neck and lower back from upright sitting posture were compared. Paired t-test evaluation showed that the ambidextrous chair reduced lateral flexion. Developing proper school furniture based on user-centred design can increase the comfort of the students. However, it may be costly and too specific for general use. PubDate: 2022-11-30 DOI: 10.17411/jacces.v12i2.281 Issue No:Vol. 12, No. 2 (2022)
Authors:Takao Yanagihara, Kiyohiro Omori, Hiroshi Kitagawa Pages: 335 - 353 Abstract: For low-vision people and elderly people with decreased vision and cognitive function, the legibility of signs (character size, position, etc.) is an important issue. Graphic floor signs are considered more effective for low-vision people and elderly people than typical hanging signs because they are closer to pedestrians and can be larger in size. There is a growing number of improved graphic floor signs, but there are no guidelines for character sizes, colour scheme, and layout. Therefore, this study considers the character size ofgraphic floor signs that are legible for elderly people. In this study, we aimed to verify the legibility of characters installed on the floor. The test was conducted on 30 non-elderly and 30 elderly people, about Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) S 0032 “Guidelines for the elderly and people with disabilities - Visual signs and displays -Estimation of minimum legible size for a Japanese single character”. Experiments on minimum legible sizes of characters and experiments on readability were conducted in that order. In the experiment on the minimum legible sizes of characters, we found that the minimum legible sizes of characters written on the vertical surface can be converted to the minimum size of legible characters written on the floor surface by multiplying with the coefficient of minimum legible characters on the floor surface by 2 to 3 times. In the experiment on readability, we found that the optimum character sizes are about 90 mm and 80 mm in height at a minimum for vertical and horizontal characters, respectively. These results showed that the optimum size of characters on graphic floor signs is about 90 mm. PubDate: 2022-11-30 DOI: 10.17411/jacces.v12i2.357 Issue No:Vol. 12, No. 2 (2022)
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