Approaches for Evaluating the Usability of Assistive Technology Product Prototypes

Young Mi Choi, PhD and Stephen H. Sprigle, PhD, PT Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access, College of Architecture, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA ABSTRACT User input is an important component to help guide designers in producing a more usable product. Evaluation of prototypes is one method of obtaining this input, but methods for evaluating assistive technology prototypes during design have not been adequately described or evaluated. This project aimed to compare different methods of evaluating prototypes to determine which hold promise as aids to designing new assistive technology products. Eight teams were recruited to independently design a working prototype of an assistive device. Twenty potential users were recruited to evaluate each of the devices by using the device to perform a task, completing an evaluation survey, answering a single overall opinion question, and by ranking the devices. The results indicate that a short evaluation survey may be a useful tool to help designers engage users during the design process.