BSCW for Disabled Teleworkers: Usability Evaluation and Interface Adaptation of an Internet-Based Cooperation Environment

TEDIS (Teleworking for Disabled People) is a research and development project of the research group on Human Computer Interaction at the German National Research Center for Information Technology (GMD). TEDIS is an assistive technology contribution to the promotional program “Telecooperation Value Added Services” of the German Federal Ministry for Izducation, Science, Research and Technology (BMBF) and accordingly funded. The general goal of the project is to implement a generic human computer interface for accessing Internet, which can be adapted to a variety of different needs of handicapped as well as elderly people. As part of a field-trial, the internet-based telecooperation environment BSCW (Basic Support for Cooperative Work) was installed to manage the teleworking process for two severely physically disabled teleworkers. At present, BSCW is adjusted to their special needs based upon data gained by structured usability-interviews. As a result, complete accessibility of BSCW by keyboard will soon be available, since operating a mouse causes many problems for motorically-disabled, blind or visually impaired end-users.