AEGIS

Project Dates: From April 2010 to June 2011

Staff: Dr. Katie Brittain (PI) – Institute of Health & Society, Prof. Patrick Olivier (CI), Dr. Stephen Lindsay, Mabel Lie – Institute of Health & Society

Sponsors: TSB

The AEGIS project seeks to determine whether 3rd generation access techniques will provide a more accessible, more exploitable and deeply embeddable approach in mainstream ICT (desktop, rich Internet and mobile applications). This approach is developed and explored with the Open Accessibility Framework (OAF) through which aspects of the design, development and deployment of accessible mainstream ICT are addressed. The OAF provides embedded and built-in accessibility solutions, as well as toolkits for developers, for 'engraving'? accessibility in existing and emerging mass-market ICT-based products, thus making accessibility open, plug & play, personalised & configurable, realistic & applicable in various contexts; AEGIS is placing users and their needs at the centre of all ICT developments. Based on a holistic User Centered Design, AEGIS identifies user needs and interaction models for several user groups, (users with visual, hearing, motion, speech and cognitive impairments as well as application developers) and develops open source-based generalised accessibility support into mainstream ICT devices/applications.

Newcastle is specifically exploring the potential for remote monitoring technology to support healthy older people live more independently. The work involves a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods from social gerontology and design and aims to establish the value of a new class of consumer product for independent living. We will explore the ways in which in-home sensors can be used to monitor older peoples activities and evaluate their living standards and furthermore look for ways to present the information gathered to concerned relatives through Participatory Design activities.