Editorial: Inclusion and interaction: Designing interaction for inclusive populations

• Authors: Patrick Langdon;Harold Thimbleby
• Venue: Interacting with Computers
• Year: 2010

A Special Issue of the interdisciplinary journal, Interacting with Computers, on the topic of 'Inclusion and Interaction: Designing Interaction for Inclusive Populations with Products Containing Computer Technology', edited by Dr. Patrick Langdon and Professor Harold Thimbleby. The Special Issue is introduced with an overview article by the leading editor, Pat Langdon, presenting a case for a synthesis of inclusive design approaches with computer science and ICT. This is blended with a commentary by the Second Editor, Harold Thimbleby, relating their contributions to the current state-of-the-art in the Computer science of interaction. The remaining seven papers address a broad variety of issues relating to Inclusive Interaction, including: developing models of cognitive interaction for analytical inclusive design evaluation; inclusive design applied to gesture recognition; analytical evaluation of interfaces in the context of smart homes; investigating multimodal interaction as a strategy for including older users; the use of design processes for encouraging older adults' social and physical activities using play; the use of diversity and personas in an approach to promoting uptake of inclusive design in industry, and ways of assessing current trends and considerations in influencing technology adoption by older adults. Research into accessibility in interface design has always represented an unconventional, multi-disciplinary arena, indicating the need to bring together a number of pragmatic disciplines, such as assistive technology, mechanical and electrical systems design, computer interface design, and medical and rehabilitation practice. It has moved from isolated activities in disparate fields, such as engineering, medicine and computer science, to the more unified and holistic perspective evident today in areas such as inclusive design. Similar needs are now identifiable in mainstream HCI and interaction research where researchers must, by necessity, take up the challenge of pervasive integration of computer technology with the wider social, psychological and design worlds, such as those of healthcare or mobile systems. Combined with an inclusive approach to user-centred design, the themes of this issue present a useful multi-disciplinary framework for considering cognitive capability and product interaction.