Seniors in different environments
The seniors-in-the-community application setting may actually have several different environments in which the person could encounter a FD tool:
- In a senior technology center, as part of intake or registration for a digital literacy class
- In a senior technology center as part of a specific FD experience
- In a senior technology center, during a training class or other purpose
- Sponsored by the senior technology center, but encountered at home alone or with family/friends
- Sponsored by the senior technology center, but encountered at a wireless store or other technology venue
Of course, the tools would be somewhat different in these different environments.
Case #1: Senior technology intake/registration
Case #1 is about adding FD elements into what senior organizations are already using to begin and manage relationships with seniors. I have asked our senior stakeholders and others whether they use or are aware of intake tools or processes that an FD tool could fit into, and I'll share what they say. For now I think we can assume that although they do have such tools, those do not include anything about interface preferences; we may also assume that some organizations would be willing to try adding a FD module to their tool.
Here's a sketch in table form of how this might play out:
| Tool asks about... | FD module asks about... |
|---|---|
| Your experience with computers | If 'yes', ask "When you used a computer, have you ever noticed any difficulties with reading text on the screen?" Etc. We could even ask, for those who have not used a computer, if accessibility/usability issues (or pessimism) was one of the reasons they haven't, then tell them what's available and how to get it via FD tool. |
| Devices you own or have access to | "Have you or anyone else ever modified the device to make it easier for you to use?" We can then either ask what the modification was, or ask for an opportunity to do a snapshot. |
| Specific skills or applications you want to learn | Customized questions. For example, if they say they want to learn FaceTime, we ask "FaceTime lets you see and hear the people you are talking to. Is it sometimes hard for you to hear what's said on a phone call? In person, do you ever lip-read to help you understand? Have you ever used a relay service?" Etc. |
| General intake | If there's a list of services the center provides, we should add an item about FD, and ask if they're interested. |
Case #3: Class on a specific application or skill
The advantage of doing FD in a deep context is that you can show the user exactly what barrier is being encountered and what options exist to fix it, in a context of use in which the user explicitly wants to succeed. For example, let's say there's a class on Skype. We can show Skype screenshots in regular and magnified view, and ask users which they prefer. We might go through several of these selections during the class:
- volume control and other audio settings
- incoming call notification
- contacts and groups
- remembering contacts and using photos
At the end, we can say "You've made the following choices for how you want Skype to look and work: (x,y,z). Do you want to save those choices so you can try them on other software you use?" We can also invite them to have a full FD session.