EXCLUSION BY DESIGN: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ACCESSIBILITY OF DIGITAL TELEVISION SET-TOP BOXES
DS 32: Proceedings of DESIGN 2004, the 8th International Design Conference, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Year: 2004
Editor: Marjanovic D.
Author: Clarkson, P.J.; Keates, S.
Section: MULTIDISCIPLINARY ASPECTS OF DESIGN
Page(s): 989 - 994
Abstract
The aim of the study reported in this paper was to investigate the accessibility of digital television technology, focussing on the current generation of set-top boxes which provide ‘free to view’ services. In particular, it was important to identify challenges presented to users by digital television that are not found when using the current analogue equivalent. The findings of the study suggest that only if all of the additional functionality is at least as accessible and usable as interacting with an analogue television, will digital television be as inclusive as analogue. This is a tough target to aim for, but a necessary one unless it is to be accepted that not all users will have access to all of the emerging digital services.
Keywords: product assessment, inclusive design, exclusion