Expertise & Solutions

Let’s dive in! Here and on the following pages, you can learn more about Human–Computer Interaction and digital accessibility – and how I can support you directly in your projects.

Accessibility is still too often viewed as an expensive add-on to existing systems – more of an obligation than a conviction. Yet it is an opportunity that pays off many times over, but it requires the necessary expertise. That is precisely where my work begins.
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Subject Area

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)

As an overarching discipline, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a discipline within applied computer science that encompasses various topics relating to users, forms of interaction, input and output devices, as well as the goals, contexts and conditions of interaction.

Field of Action

Digital Accessibility

Most people initially associate accessibility primarily with physical barriers – such as stairs and obstacles – that are particularly relevant for people with mobility impairments. Today, the accessibility of digital, interactive systems is equally essential and requires continuously evolving expertise to ensure that very accessibility for all people: on the one hand, because technologies are evolving rapidly; on the other hand, because our society is also undergoing significant change.

Methods

Human-Centred Design (HCD, UCD)

For interactive systems to be easy to use, to be accepted by users and to deliver a good user experience overall – rather than simply functioning – methods and principles of human-centred design are applied. This refers on the one hand to a specific approach to system development; on the other hand, it also encompasses a pool of methods and tools to realise this approach in practice. From requirements gathering, through implementation to ongoing quality assurance, all phases of the product lifecycle are covered.

Target User Group

Interaction Design for Older Adults

Older adults are increasingly coming into focus with regard to the development of digital, interactive systems. This is on the one hand due to the fact that the proportion of older people is increasing significantly compared to the younger part of the population – i.e. demographic change. On the other hand, the ubiquity of technology is also decisive. In other words: if you want to avoid interacting with interactive systems, that is barely possible in everyday life. Consider affordable online banking instead of expensive branch banking, parcel lockers instead of post office counters, comparison portals instead of travel agencies. Accordingly, it is relevant to give appropriate consideration to older people in the development of systems and not to inadvertently implement barriers.

Target User Group

Interaction Design for Neurodivergent People, such as Autistic Individuals

The topic of neurodiversity has become significantly more visible in recent years – thankfully! In particular, the very different needs of neurodivergent people play a role in interaction design. This user group is itself a spectrum and includes, among others, autistic people, people with ADHD, dyslexia (reading and writing difficulties), prosopagnosia (face blindness), and numerous others. What they have in common is that neurological processes function differently from typical behaviour. Accordingly, interaction must be designed to be adaptive – and in particular, flexibly adaptable.

Interaction

Speech Interaction / Conversational and Voice User Interfaces (CUI/VUI)

Good interaction can mean many things, including that it is easy to learn and feels natural. In this context, there have been significant innovations in recent years in natural language interaction. More powerful speech recognition, interpretation of what is said and speech synthesis now allow for spontaneous speech and deceptively human-like responses, enabling fluid and less error-prone dialogue with a computer system. Not least, developments in artificial intelligence have been decisive here.

Interaction and Technology

Social Assistive Robots (SARs) and Human-Robot Interaction (HRI)

Particularly in the context of older people requiring care, there has long been the idea of supporting care through the use of robots. Of course, the social debate on this is justified. At the same time, it is worthwhile to look at the technical challenges in this context. And particularly to examine the question of how the interaction between older adult and robot should be designed. How do I communicate to the robot what I want? How do I want the robot to respond in different situations?

Technology

Adaptive Interaction and Software Variability

Some challenges in terms of interaction cannot be addressed by a single solution that works for everyone. The jack of all trades all-in-one solution only works as a variable, needs-adapting system. The German metaphor for this is an “egg‑laying wool‑milk‑sow” – and to stay with the metaphor: you don’t need eggs, wool and milk all at once, but depending on the use case, sometimes one thing and sometimes another. While that is unlikely in the animal world, software can achieve this: through concepts and methods of software variability for the implementation of self-adapting (adaptive) systems.

I need support with my project…

I am happy to assist you with advice and hands-on support when you are working on a specific project and need specialist support from me. Feel free to engage me as a Subject-Matter Expert (SME) for your projects.

Expertise

Consulting on a Specific Problem

You are facing a specific challenge in the implementation of your project. You are wondering how your system could become accessible. You need advice on how to comply with the German Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG). You are developing a system for a highly diverse user group. You want to make processes in your organisation accessible and tailored to specific user groups. I am happy to provide consulting support on such and similar questions.

Audit

Audit and Assessment of Systems

It is not easy to assess whether systems and offerings comply with applicable regulations. Of course, it is good that there are concrete regulations (such as BFSG, WCAG, BITV, PDF/UA, plus standards such as EN 301 549, ISO/IEC 40500) – although strict compliance with these requirements does not automatically guarantee accessibility. But how do you find out whether these regulations are being correctly adhered to? And what specific measures should be taken to comply with the regulations? I conduct a comprehensive audit of your system and develop actionable recommendations for you.

Development Support

Planning Services / Concept Development

In addition to consulting and audit services, I am also happy to support the implementation of interactive systems. I work with you to develop a tailored solution concept based on your requirements and accompany you through the implementation process.

I want to learn more about this topic and need…

Are you looking for further education or training for yourself or your team, or a presentation for your event, and think my expertise would be a good fit? Then let’s talk about your planned event and discuss what format would work best.

Professional Development

Workshops / Training / Educational Events

I regularly organise and deliver training events at various occasions, nationally and internationally – in academic, scholarly and also non-academic environments. This ranges from cross-disciplinary lecture series (e.g. Overview of Human-Computer Interaction), through practical methodology training (e.g. How to Create Accessible Documents with Word) to awareness-raising workshops on a very specific topic (e.g. Meeting the Needs of Autistic Employees in the Workplace).

Event

Keynote, Talk, Interview

In addition to training offerings, I am also available for presentations and interviews in various formats. Whether as a keynote speech for your event or as an expert voice in your article or podcast.

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