One of the goals of Human Computer Interaction (HCI) is to put people first. This goal ensures that the right set of users are targeted for the product that is being designed. A meaningful target user is needed therefore needed to create meaningful interactions between person and interface.
HCI has blossomed to design many different applications such as:
- Intelligent homes
- Intelligent offices
- Driver monitoring
- Intelligent gaming
- Helping people with disabilities
Since HCI emphasizes the design and
interaction between computers and users a deep understanding of the user and the
tasks the user needs to be performed is necessary. HCI is therefore even more important
and impactful if the target audience is disabled.
The best way to use HCI design is to
maximize accessibility of the product by envisioning all users as people with
disabilities. This is because designing for the disabled would benefit any
user. Able bodied people may benefit from designs for the disabled when using
technology under certain conditions; like turning on lights in the dark by
voice command; or only having one free hand to use phone to reply to a text
message.
The world is not perfect, and that is
because people are not perfect. Therefore, products should be designed with
everyone in mind. To be used by everyone of different experiences, backgrounds,
and disabilities.
References:
Adobe.
(2020, November 11). How improving HCI design can lead to better UX | Adobe XD.
Ideas. https://xd.adobe.com/ideas/principles/human-computer-interaction/improve-hci-design-for-better-user-experience/
Vejalla,
K. (2020, March 10). HCI for People with Disabilities - Kalyan Vejalla. Medium.
https://medium.com/@kalyan.vejalla/hci-for-people-with-disabilities-979b6371467b
