Literature Reviews

Reviewed research papers, articles, and publications relevant to digital accessibility.

• Evaluating a Pen-based Computer Interface for Novice Older Users

  Dante Arias Torres (2006) — Proceedings of the 8th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (Assets '06)

  This short paper from the University of Oaxaca in Mexico proposes and evaluates a simplified pen-based gesture interface designed for novice older computer users who struggle with the traditional WIMP (Windows, Icons, Menus, and Pointers) paradigm. T…

  • older adults
  • pen input
  • gesture input
  • alternative input
  • usability
  • WIMP
  • age-related accessibility
  • novice users

• Hover or Tap? Supporting Pen-based Menu Navigation for Older Adults

  Karyn Moffatt, Sandra Yuen, Joanna McGrenere (2008) — Proceedings of the 10th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (Assets '08)

  This paper investigates "drifting" — an error specific to pen-based (Tablet PC) interaction where users accidentally hover over an adjacent menu head, causing their intended menu to close and the wrong one to open. This occurs because inductive pen t…

  • aging
  • input methods
  • touchscreen accessibility
  • inclusive design
  • user interface design
  • motor accessibility
  • pen input
  • older adults
  • menu design

• Exploring Methods to Improve Pen-Based Menu Selection for Younger and Older Adults

  Karyn Moffatt, Joanna McGrenere (2009) — ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

  This study investigates why users struggle with pen-based menu selection on tablet PCs, particularly older adults, and tests two approaches for reducing errors. Building on a baseline study that identified three error types (slipping, drifting, and "…

  • pen input
  • tablet PC
  • older adults
  • target acquisition
  • motor impairments
  • menu design
  • Fitts Law
  • input techniques
  • aging