Authors:
Craig Leamy
1
;
Bilal Ahmad
2
;
Sarah Beecham
3
;
Ita Richardson
1
;
3
;
4
and
Katie Crowley
1
;
3
Affiliations:
1
Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
;
2
Learnovate Centre, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
;
3
Lero – The Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software, Ireland
;
4
Ageing Research Centre, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
Keyword(s):
Usability, Accessibility, Mobile, Launcher, Older Adult, Software Applications, Apps.
Abstract:
While software is becoming increasingly ubiquitous, needed, and available, applications developed for use by older adults do not always take their specific requirements into account. Our thesis is that: implementing Usability and Accessibility smartphone application requirements which cater for Older Adults’ specific needs will improve their ability to engage with software. Our prior research developed 44 Recommendations for the Development of Smartphone Applications for the Ageing Population (ReDEAP). We assessed 5 existing launchers against relevant ReDEAP recommendations, finding that they had 48-64% compliance. To test the feasibility of ReDEAP, we implemented a subset of recommendations, developing a new launcher app, Launcher50+. The recommendations supported the implementation of a simple user interface, addressing a key concern raised in the wider ReDEAP study. In this paper, we also evaluate other smartphone launcher applications, assessing the level of ReDEAP recommendation
compliance. This identified several weaknesses, suggesting that catering for the needs of older adults can be improved.
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