Lorna Gibson

University of Dundee · Computing

New mothers can experience social exclusion, particularly during the early weeks when infants are solely dependent on their mothers. We used ethnographic methods to investigate whether technology plays a role in supporting new mothers. Our research identified two core themes: (1) the need to improve confidence as a mother; and (2) the need to be mo...

For universal design to be successful, it is essential to understand the needs, wants and characteristics of all user groups, particularly those people who find currently available information technology systems frightening, confusing, and difficult to use. A wide range of standards and guidelines are available, but these do not always have suffici...

In this paper we discuss preliminary findings from the first stage of our SEEDS study (SEEDS: An Organic Approach to Virtual Participatory Design), a collaborative research project between Universities of Dundee, Kent and Leeds, United Kingdom. This feasibility study investigates how to motivate older people to engage with digital technology, as we...

Older adults are often encouraged to try new technology by a specific motivator or 'trigger'. Recently, a surprising 'trigger' has emerged - the 'ash cloud' which caused large scale disruption for air travel across Europe earlier in 2010. Understanding why this unexpected event managed to motivate interest into technology where other efforts have f...

The importance of older adults' social networks in providing practical, emotional and informational support is well documented. In this paper, we reflect on the personal social networks of older adults, and the shortcomings of existing online Social Networking Sites (SNSs) in supporting their needs. We report findings from ethnographic interviews,...

Amongst older adults, recent evidence suggests the most commonly stated reason for non-adoption of digital technologies is a lack of interest, rather than affordability or difficulty. This directly impacts upon the design community, both in terms of technologies we design for such groups to adopt, and the design methods we use for exploiting the un...

In this paper, we describe the User Centre at the University of Dundee which provides a space for older people and technology to come together for the benefit of new learning opportunities, social interaction and research.

The prevalence of mild hypoglycemia is difficult to document, particularly, in young people with diabetes. The usual method is to ask for subject recall using written 'diaries'. In 2004, we investigated if new technology could be used to ascertain an accurate prevalence of mild hypoglycemia, particularly self-treated. We compared the use of 'text m...

The idea of consulting pupils about developments in their schools is now established in legislation and practice in schools. While many methods of performing such consultations have been employed for a number of years, a new system has been developed which can offer a consultation environment previously not available. An online pupil consultation s...

This paper describes the experiences and insights obtained while using children-centred design during two software development projects. The authors describe critical difficulties experienced and how measures had to be taken to adapt the children-centred design methodologies to allow full involvement of children in the project design.

This paper describes the development, with full involvement by children, of a web development tool which reflects truly how children view the World Wide Web. The tool was designed in such a way that it promoted the understanding and implementation of accessibility principles to the users.

The idea of consulting pupils about developments in their schools is now established in legislation and practice in schools. While many methods of performing such consultations have been employed for a number of years, a new system has been developed which can offer a consultation environment previously not available. An online pupil consultation s...

Online educational resources have the potential of providing enhanced access to education for everyone. To achieve this, these resources must be accessible both to the increasingly diverse range of potential users and via the diverse browsing environments now available. Legal and moral obligations also exist to ensure that disabled people are not u...

Online educational resources have the potential of providing enhanced access to education for everyone. To achieve this, these resources must be accessible both to the increasingly diverse range of potential users and via the diverse browsing environments now available. Legal and moral obligations also exist to ensure that disabled people are not u...

Given the increasingly important role the World Wide Web plays as an information source, and yet with the continuing problems that certain individuals, particularly those with disabilities and those using ‘non-standard’ Web browsing technology, it is vital that web resource providers be aware of design features which introduce barriers affecting th...

The paper discusses recent web Accessibility Audits produced by the authors (8) - audits that have the dual aims of raising accessibility levels of the subject sites and the general awareness of accessible design principles. The presentation of the information has been shaped by the desire that it should be digestible by both technical and administ...

This paper discusses the role of children as expert evaluators in the assessment of accessibility and usability of a number of websites primarily aimed at children. It also discusses how children's awareness of accessibility issues can be raised through such a process.

While emerging digital technologies are pervading many aspects of modern life and large portions of society are benefiting, a substantial minority remains digitally disengaged. The problem of digital disengagement is compounded by the fact that developments of new technologies tend not to address the needs of disengaged users. In this paper, a virt...

In this paper, we describe the SEEDS project which aims to gain a better understanding of the needs of those people excluded from participation in the Digital Economy. With a specific emphasis on disengaged older adults, the SEEDS project has gathered social stories from relevant individuals. These stories have been used to start answering the rese...

The advent of the digital economy has resulted in an increased emphasis upon the provision of new digital products and services. However, those who do not regularly use technology are becoming increasingly disadvantaged in this changing economy. Technology acceptance is determined by a number of factors. For older adults, recent evidence indicates...