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Exploring Desirable and Avoidable Product Qualities for a Universal Design Easy Chair

Olander, Elin LU and Sperling, Lena LU (2006) the 2nd international conference Universal Design
Abstract
From a universal design perspective, products should attract both people with disabilities and other persons. Design of chairs has decisive importance for activity and independence of users with physical disabilities. In an experimental study aiming at an easy chair with universal design qualities, six able-bodied young adults were asked to position a wide range of photo-represented chairs, including private and institutional chairs, on a compass chart board and were asked to “think aloud” about their experiences. Results were compared with data from a previous study with participants of upper middle age. Products from both studies were selected for experiments with two young adults with disability. One additional participant performed the... (More)
From a universal design perspective, products should attract both people with disabilities and other persons. Design of chairs has decisive importance for activity and independence of users with physical disabilities. In an experimental study aiming at an easy chair with universal design qualities, six able-bodied young adults were asked to position a wide range of photo-represented chairs, including private and institutional chairs, on a compass chart board and were asked to “think aloud” about their experiences. Results were compared with data from a previous study with participants of upper middle age. Products from both studies were selected for experiments with two young adults with disability. One additional participant performed the experiment over five consecutive days. An adjustable process could be seen for some products as positions were moved into more positive sectors. A relevant level of exactness could be decided for evaluation of results generated with the compass chart. Key sentences could be identified for desirable and avoidable qualities of easy chairs. Similarities and differences in statements of users of the three groups are presented and discussed. (Less)
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author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to conference
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Chairs, Product qualities, Mediating tools, Design elements, Universal design
conference name
the 2nd international conference Universal Design
conference dates
0001-01-02
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
332b638c-0726-4a13-8897-15687da41bfd (old id 759935)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 14:39:10
date last changed
2018-11-21 21:21:31
@misc{332b638c-0726-4a13-8897-15687da41bfd,
  abstract     = {{From a universal design perspective, products should attract both people with disabilities and other persons. Design of chairs has decisive importance for activity and independence of users with physical disabilities. In an experimental study aiming at an easy chair with universal design qualities, six able-bodied young adults were asked to position a wide range of photo-represented chairs, including private and institutional chairs, on a compass chart board and were asked to “think aloud” about their experiences. Results were compared with data from a previous study with participants of upper middle age. Products from both studies were selected for experiments with two young adults with disability. One additional participant performed the experiment over five consecutive days. An adjustable process could be seen for some products as positions were moved into more positive sectors. A relevant level of exactness could be decided for evaluation of results generated with the compass chart. Key sentences could be identified for desirable and avoidable qualities of easy chairs. Similarities and differences in statements of users of the three groups are presented and discussed.}},
  author       = {{Olander, Elin and Sperling, Lena}},
  keywords     = {{Chairs; Product qualities; Mediating tools; Design elements; Universal design}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  title        = {{Exploring Desirable and Avoidable Product Qualities for a Universal Design Easy Chair}},
  year         = {{2006}},
}