Ana Carolina Corrêa

MSC in User Experience and Service Design

Ana Carolina Corrêa

Student profile

I am a UX Designer with two years of industry experience, currently pursuing a Master's degree to enhance my expertise and elevate my professional capabilities. My passion for accessibility and inclusion has driven me to focus my research on these areas. My goal is to expand and validate this research, to make meaningful contributions to the fields of web accessibility and inclusive design.

Project Overview

In this project, I explore how user experience (UX) design and web accessibility can improve online marketplaces for individuals with mild cognitive impairments (MCI). Through a synthesis of human-computer interaction (HCI) principles and cognitive accessibility, the study offers practical frameworks to guide designers in creating more inclusive digital environments. Interviews with people with MCI and design explorations highlight key challenges faced by this population, informing solutions that enhance online shopping platforms. This research provides tools that empower designers to create accessible and effective online marketplaces, focusing on cognitive inclusivity.

The key areas of the research were to firstly understand how cognitive impairment looks like in digital contexts; secondly the integration of user experience and cognitive accessibility and lastly how to design inclusive online marketplaces.

Research question

The key research question answered as part of this study was: How might designers harness the principles of user experience and web accessibility to inform online marketplaces for individuals with mild cognitive impairment?

Background

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition marked by cognitive decline affecting memory, judgment, and thinking, though it does not completely disrupt daily life. As populations age, the prevalence of MCI is increasing, making accessible digital design more and more crucial. In this study, I leveraged human-computer interaction and accessibility research to address the unique challenges individuals with MCI face when interacting with digital platforms.

Research supports that individuals with cognitive impairments face significant challenges when engaging in online shopping. These challenges typically revolve around decision-making, memory retention, and processing speed. People with cognitive impairments, such as those with MCI or dementia, may struggle with understanding complex information, retaining it long enough to make informed decisions, and processing new data quickly enough to respond effectively during the shopping process (APA, 2019; UMBC, 2023) (Research Division) (American Psychological Association).

By exploring the various types of cognitive impairments, investigating the cognitive processes involved in digital interactions, and examining existing research on how these impairments impact user behaviour and experiences, this study addresses the critical need to integrate cognitive accessibility into user experience.

Context

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition defined by noticeable cognitive decline that is greater than what would be expected for a person of that age. MCI does not interfere with the affected person’s daily life or their independent function. Memory loss, and problems with language, thinking or judgment are some of the experienced characteristics of MCI.

“Cognitive decline and MCI have important implications for patients and their families, and will require that primary care clinicians be skilled in identifying and managing this common disorder as the number of older adults increases in coming decades.” (Langa, K. M., & Levine, D. A. 2014).

Solution

This study developed guidelines that integrate UX design with cognitive accessibility to improve online marketplaces for individuals with MCI. The solution simplifies navigation, ensures clear layouts, and minimises cognitive load to enhance usability and user satisfaction. These guidelines address key cognitive processes such as information processing, decision-making, and memory retention, making digital interactions more intuitive for users of this demographic.

The guidelines are formatted as double-sided cards, each highlighting specific design principles and practical tips for creating cognitively accessible interfaces. This format allows design teams to reference key concepts during the design process easily. The deck can be printed and used as a handy tool, providing reminders on how to design with the needs of MCI users in mind.

Images


Course: ma ux and service

Year: 2024

© 2024 MTU Crawford College of Art & Design
Website by Hurrah Hurrah

Photography: Seán Daly