Virtual user models for designing and using of inclusive products: Introduction to the special thematic session

Abstract

This STS on Virtual User Models for designing and using of inclusive products is targeted towards generic interoperable user models that describe the relevant characteristics of users, who will interact with products and user interfaces. A user profile is an instantiation of a user model representing either a specific user or a representative of a group of users [1]. With such a model designers can define as many user profiles as needed to address the whole range of requirements from a target population in order to maximize the level of accessibility of products and services according to the selected user profile. The papers in this STS address many of the issues addressed by the VUMS cluster of projects. The cluster is formed by four projects funded by the European Commission under the Theme "FP7-ICT-2009.7.2 Accessible and Assistive ICT"; the projects are VICON, MyUI, GUIDE and VERITAS (http://www.veritas- project.eu/vums/). © 2012 Springer-Verlag.