Towards accessible automatically generated interfaces part 1: An input model that bridges the needs of users and product functionality

Abstract

Automatic model-based generation of user interfaces is a potential strategy to enable individuals with disabilities to control products and services with an interface that fits their specific needs. Most of the existing work and models have been focused on mainstream users and have evolved into complex, multilayered approaches. In this paper, we describe a new, simpler input model, the FIN-USI model, which is a bridge between the basic input a system/device needs for functionality (the Functionality Input Needs; FINs) and the basic input that users provide as input in an abstract, modality independent manner (User- Sensible Inputs; USIs). An abstract model of a user interface can be made up of FIN and USI elements. Each FIN and USI element consists of a type of input and characteristics that are applied to that input type. Input elements may be grouped for functionality or usability reasons. All the components of the model are described and examples of application are given in this paper.