How HCI Can Be Adjusted for Specialised Needs

Throughout the development of HCI (Human Computer Interfaces), the majority of interactive technology have been aiming to accommodate for all types of users. Users with certain disabilities or impediments that hinder their ability to use technology benefit from various features of HCI, especially with basic technology such as mobile phones and computers.

Visual Aids 

The need for visual assistance can range from being completely blind, low vision or to colour blindness. Many OSs (Operating Systems) have been designed to aid users who are visually impaired through tools such as a text-reader function that reads out loud what is being displayed on a screen. 

Not only this, but the way that some programs' code is initially wrote can be helpful in this manner. Alternative text (or 'Alt' text) are words or phrases that can be written within HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) documents which informs the user of the contents of what they are viewing. 

Many computers and mobile phones will offer a type of magnifying tool, this is so that the display can be enlarged and easier to read. The visual display of an interface could also be designed with the potential of users with colour blindness. For example, users who cannot visually detect colour should be presented with a colour scheme that clearly distinguishes objects like text apart from the background. Poor use of colour for an interface in general could cause eye strain so this is usually kept in mind for good HCI.

Audio Aids

Such as is for those who are visually impaired, those who find it hard to hear may benefit from HCI which can read text aloud for the user. However, a more beneficial feature for complete deafness is the use of captions and transcripts for medias like videos and audio recordings. This shows the user text of what might be being spoken and also any other audio information like sound effects or types of music.

Physical Aids

HCI software features can improve the accessibility for users with physical disabilities just as much as specialised hardware such as keyboards and mice can. Those without the use of their hands can use voice operated HCI, which means that by speaking basic commands to their phone/computer the software can detect key words from the speech and intentionally carry out said commands. This kind of software has been constantly under development so that it becomes more accurate and able to perform the correct tasks. 

For those who can move their hands yet are limited, other features include predictive text, and TAB control. Predictive text will try to guess what word is trying to be typed and if the word is either left incomplete or misspelled it try to replace with what it believes is the intended word. If words are commonly used together, they can also be offered without having to start typing it, if accurate this can greatly limit the number of actions needed to produce text. TAB control works in a similar way as if able to use it means that the user can navigate a web page without having to use a mouse and just need a keyboard.

The Impact of Potential Future Developments in HCI

It is not hard to recognize how developments of Human Computer Interfaces (HCIs) up until this point have benefited many different types of people. A good way to view how HCI is becoming more successful is that as technology itself becomes more advanced the way that users can operate it becomes easier and produces more of the desired results.

Ever since the Graphical User Interface (GUI) type of HCI for computers was introduced as an alternative for the complicated Command Line Interface (CLI), much more types of technology were able to be developed as the general public did not require the vast amount of technical knowledge that experts had. Over the years HCI, has even been modified to become even more user-friendly and there are multiple reasons how they may continue to do so.

Virtual Reality

The definition of virtual reality is 'a computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image/environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way'. A virtual reality can be achieved through specialised equipment such as a helmet equipped with a screen. A combination of convincing visuals and audio are used through the technology to lead the user to believe that they are experiencing a different reality, including head-tracking technology so that the user can look around the projected environment. 

A Virtual Reality headset: https://pixabay.com/en/vr-virtual-reality-glasses-911031/ 

For a piece of technology to successfully create a virtual reality, the importance of HCI is critical. As well as helmets, equipment like the data gloves have been developed to create a more immersive way for users to interact in a virtual reality. 3D controllers are also another way for the user to interact with objects and the virtual environment, so both the gloves and controllers would need to be in sync with the display monitor. Although complex technology, the interfaces would have to be easy for a typical user and also decrease the likelihood of errors since this would take away the immersion of a virtual reality. 

Only until lately has this type of technology been advancing in development with products, although attempts date back to as far as the late 1800s (see this article for more on the history; http://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality/history.html). Recent commercial technology for virtual reality like the Oculus Rift and Galaxy Gear still share the limitation of not being able to physically walk around the virtual environment and relying on remote controllers for the user's interface. I think that as this technology becomes even more developed, virtual realities will become even more realistic in being able to allow the user to accurately interact in a seemingly natural and simple way.       

Specialised Interfaces

While HCI has been improving for the use of the general public, one of the more important reasons is also for the use of those who have certain physical disabilities or impairments. Already in most smartphones and computers they will have specialized interfaces such as voice recognition software and text readers. Even head wands and eye trackers are pieces of technology that are for providing a suitable HCI for those with limited movements to operate other computer devices.

One of the more advanced types of specialized interfaces currently being developed are brain-computer interfaces. The simple explanation of how type of HCI is intended to be operated is by the user’s brainwaves are to be transmitted through radio waves and then used to operate the piece of technology. A way that experts are trying to develop and put beneficial use to brain-computer interfaces is for patients with prosthetic limbs. A more detailed explanation of these developments can be found in this article; https://www.technologyreview.com/s/534206/a-brain-computer-interface-that-works-wirelessly/.

In a section of the article the writer points out that although there has been successful trial for brain-computer interfaces allowing patients to operate their prosthetic limbs, yet the help of laboratory assistants with advanced knowledge and equipment is required. I believe that future developments of this form of HCI will ultimately lead to patients with prosthetic limbs to be able to operate them with a brain-computer interface even in a home environment.
  

A video explaining more about Brain-Computer Interface: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t84lGE5TXA 

Summarising Future Developments

I believe that through further development of HCI, more people without a large amount of specific knowledge will be able to interact with more advanced technology. Up until this point the majority of people are able to use a mobile phone since the basic HCI has become familiar and easy, whereas specialised equipment such as prosthetic limbs (mentioned earlier) would be far too complex for somebody with no prior knowledge. HCI that allows the user to interact with complex technology without frustration or confusion will allow more people, other than professionals, to benefit from these pieces of technology. Seemingly basic actions should be able to perform more advanced tasks successfully.