Conceptualizing a desktop environment for cognitively challenged people
Shiv Nath Kumar, Sagun Baijal, Leena Chourey, Aparna Ramamurthy, M. Sasikumar · 2012
In India as well as in different parts of the world, a large section of society suffers from different kinds of disabilities. These difficulties impose certain constraints on people suffering with them in following their routine life as compared to normal persons. Of these difficulties, cognitive disability is one of the most difficult to address. This disability relates to different kinds of problems with brain like amnesia, learning disability, attention problems etc. The type and nature of problem may vary from person to person. Common symptoms like slow grasping, longer response time and distraction in nature have been identified by observing the affected users at various rehabilitation centers. Using ICT based solutions, life can be made better for such persons. Computers can assist them in different ways in rehabilitation and enhancing their quality of life. The aim of this paper is to highlight the issues and challenges faced by cognitively impaired persons in using computers and to propose solution(s) so that computer usage will be easy for them. An accessible desktop environment with relevant features is conceptualized that will help user in smooth interaction with computer without distraction. Specific features of the proposed desktop are focused primarily on memory and attention based issues and provides support for affected users, parents/caretakers and teachers. The proposed solution is validated with and impacts of design have been collected from the relevant stack holders such as end users, caretakers and parents. All enhancements are done on open source operating system environment and are available as open source. This paper discusses the system and the rationale for the various features incorporated.