Transgenerational Design Guidelines and Strategies for Accommodating Declines in Tactile Sensitivity"

Design Guidelines & Strategies

Guidelines & Strategies

Vision

Hearing

Touch

Movement

		TOUCH Tactile Sensitivity Pressure Sensitivity Thermal Sensitivity



		Tactile Sensitivity

PROBLEM		SOLUTION
Impaired ability to locate and identify textures and surfaces.		Minimize the need for tactile differentiation. Minimize the need for tactile differentiation by offering alternative visual and/or audio messages. If tactile identification messages are required, either to stand alone or as redundant cues, use a distinctive texture and/or shape for each set of message units.



		PressureSensitivity

PROBLEM		SOLUTION
Possible inability to detect/sense pressure.		Provide definitive pressure "feedback" cues. Differentiate significant shapes, surfaces, and increments of controls with appropriate forms and textures. Ensure that the resistance of push buttons gradually builds up and then drops suddenly upon actuation. Ensure that selector switches "snap" into pre-determined positions for non-analog applications.




		Thermal Sensitivity

PROBLEM		SOLUTION
Possible inability to detect thermal stimuli.		Prevent possible thermal injury. Shield hot and cold thermal sources (e.g., light bulbs, hot water pipes, refrigerant coils) from accidental contact by a user. For potentially dangerous thermal applications (e.g., range burners, ovens, etc.), reduce chance of injury by offering redundant cues (e.g., lights, symbols, sound) for providing additional "feedback".

Rationalizations can no longer excuse designs of products or environments that fail to attract and accommodate any segment of the population.

Content courtesy of "Guidelines and Strategies for Designing Transgenerational Products," suported, in part, by Grant number 90-AT-0182, from the Administration OIffice of Human Development Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC 20201, and the All-University Gerontology Center, Syracuse University.

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