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Project About Objectives Description Background Milestones Approach Definitions & Glossary Presentation Contact Participants Co-ordinator Members Participants' Area Please Enter Here Additional Information Project Calendar Documents Related Events Links	Definitions & Glossary Definitions Information Society Technologies Information Society Technologies refers to innovative technologies that drive the emergence of the Information Society, either as a result of incremental demands on behalf of the customer base, technological breakthroughs, or fusion-type innovation. The primary industry sectors that generate and push the development of these technologies are the information technology, telecommunications and media sectors. Universal Design Universal Design (or Design for All) is an inclusive and proactive approach seeking to accommodate diversity in the users and usage contexts of interactive products, applications, and services, starting from the design phase of the development life-cycle. The on-going paradigm shift toward a knowledge-intensive information society is already bringing about radical changes in the way people work and interact with each other and with information. The requirement for Universal Design stems from the growing impact of the fusion of the emerging technologies, and from the different dimensions of diversity which are intrinsic to the information society. Universal Access Universal Access refers to the concious and systematic effort to practically apply principles, methods and tools of universal design in order to develop Information Society Technologies which are accessible and usable by all citizens, including the very young and the elderly, and people with different types of disabilities, thus avoiding the need for a posteriori adaptations or specialised design. Information Society for All The term Information Society, although attributed with different meanings and connotations, is frequently used to refer to the new socio-economic and technological paradigm likely to occur, as a result of an all-embracing process of change that is currently taking place. Universal access in the Information Society signifies the right of all citizens to obtain equitable access to, and maintain effective interaction with, a community-wide pool of information resources and artefacts. The requirements for universal access and quality in use for the broadest possible user population progressively emerge into first order objectives for an Information Society for All. Back to top IS4ALL Glossary of Terms C \| E \| F \| H \| I \| M \| P \| Q \| R \| S \| T \| U C Context of use. The ISO 9241 definition of context of use is: "… the nature of the users, tasks and physical and social environments in which a product is used". Back to Index of Glossary of Terms \| Back to top E Electronic Health Record. Digitally stored (subset of the) healthcare record about an individual's lifetime with the purpose to support the continuity of care (quality, access, efficiency), education and research. Electronic Health Record System. Information systems that manage and operate on the Electronic Health Record. Helps to access and share information to qualified persons in a user-friendly manner. Meets the security requirements to ensure confidentiality of data. Back to Index of Glossary of Terms \| Back to top F Focus group. Focus groups are a somewhat informal technique that can help you assess user needs and feelings both before interface design and long after implementation. In a focus group, you bring together from six to nine users to discuss issues and concerns about the features of a user interface. The group typically lasts about two hours and is run by a moderator who maintains the group's focus. Focus groups often bring out users' spontaneous reactions and ideas and let you observe some group dynamics and organizational issues. You can also ask people to discuss how they perform activities that span many days or weeks: something that is expensive to observe directly. However, they can only assess what customers say they do and not the way customers actually operate the product. Since there are often major differences between what people say and what they do, direct observation of one user at a time always needs to be done to supplement focus groups. Back to Index of Glossary of Terms \| Back to top H Health Telematics Context. A physical environment bound to a medical institution (hospital, clinic, ward) or the user's business or residential environment, provided that it allows authorized users to access and interact with (parts of) electronic patient data (record). Back to Index of Glossary of Terms \| Back to top I Information Society The term refers to the new socio-economic and technological paradigm likely to occur, as a result of an all-embracing process of change that is currently taking place. Information Society Technologies. Information Society Technologies refers to innovative technologies that drive the emergence of the Information Society, either as a result of incremental demands on behalf of the customer base, technological breakthroughs, or fusion-type innovation. The primary industry sectors that generate and push the development of these technologies are the information technology, telecommunications and media sectors. Information Society for all. Universal access in the Information Society signifies the right of all citizens to obtain equitable access to, and maintain effective interaction with, a community-wide pool of information resources and artifacts. The requirements for universal access and quality in use for the broadest possible user population progressively emerge into first order objectives for an Information Society for All. Interaction platform. The software resources and the computational devices used for interacting with an interactive system. A platform's software resources determine the way information is computed, transmitted, rendered and manipulated by users. Back to Index of Glossary of Terms \| Back to top M Method. Any form of structured approach or collection of instruments, which either organizes the entire development life-cycle of an interactive product or service into distinct phases or contributes towards specific objectives of a particular phase. Method template. A structured description or interview used to provide a detailed insight of a method. Macro-method. A process-oriented description that specifies stages and phases of a design activity; for example Human Centered Design as presented in ISO 13407 is a macro-method. Micro-method. A technique or instrument, which provides insight to a specific question or issue in the course of a design stage or activity. Back to Index of Glossary of Terms \| Back to top P Proactive approach/method. A method or a structured approach towards addressing design problems associated with artifacts in an a priori fashion (i.e. before the artifact is finalized and put into actual use). Back to Index of Glossary of Terms \| Back to top Q Quality in use. The notion of quality is typically associated with various meanings and connotations, while there is also variation with regards to how it can be achieved as part of the production process. For the purposes of IS4ALL quality in use entails the study of a broad range of functional and non-functional attributes, which determine computer-mediated human activities. Quality attribute. System qualities often expressed as non-functional quality requirements (i.e. reliability, usability, maintainability, reusability, etc. Back to Index of Glossary of Terms \| Back to top R Reactive approach/method. A method or a structured approach towards addressing design problems associated with artifacts in a posteriori fashion (i.e. the problem is remedied once it has occurred). Back to Index of Glossary of Terms \| Back to top S Scenario. A description of a possible set of events (computer-mediated human activities) that might reasonably take place in a Health Telematics Environment (see Health Telematics Environment). Back to Index of Glossary of Terms \| Back to top T Task. A finite sequence of user activities or system functions, which may or may not have an interactive embodiment. Task environment. See task execution context. Task execution context. The overall context (including the underlying platform, the set of objects, people and events that are peripheral to the task, but may have an impact on the system and/or the user's behavior, either during, before or after the task's execution. Critical parameters of the execution context of a task are the user profile, the access platform and the context of use. Back to Index of Glossary of Terms \| Back to top U Usability. In the recent literature, there are several definitions of the term usability. In this report, we adopt the definition offered in ISO 9241 (Part 11), though we admit that such a definition offers a performance-oriented perspective on usability. Thus, usability is defined as the extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context of use. User. The individual(s) directly involved in the execution of a task using an interactive system. Universal design. Universal Design (or Design for All) is an inclusive and proactive approach seeking to accommodate diversity in the users and usage contexts of interactive products, applications, and services, starting from the design phase of the development life-cycle. The on-going paradigm shift toward a knowledge-intensive information society is already bringing about radical changes in the way people work and interact with each other and with information. The requirement for Universal Design stems from the growing impact of the fusion of the emerging technologies, and from the different dimensions of diversity, which are intrinsic to the information society. Universal access. The conscious and systematic effort to practically apply principles, methods and tools of universal design in order to develop Information Society Technologies which are accessible and usable by all citizens, including the very young and the elderly, and people with different types of disabilities, thus avoiding the need for a posteriori adaptations or specialized design. Universal access code of practice. A structured methodology describing how universal access principles can be accommodated in the development life-cycle of interactive products and services. Universal Access Assessment Workshop. A participatory technique which seeks to bring together early in the design phase all stakeholders to unfold the universal access design space of an interactive product or service. Back to Index of Glossary of Terms \| Back to top

Definitions & Glossary

Definitions

Information Society Technologies

Information Society Technologies refers to innovative technologies that drive the emergence of the Information Society, either as a result of incremental demands on behalf of the customer base, technological breakthroughs, or fusion-type innovation. The primary industry sectors that generate and push the development of these technologies are the information technology, telecommunications and media sectors.

Universal Design

Universal Design (or Design for All) is an inclusive and proactive approach seeking to accommodate diversity in the users and usage contexts of interactive products, applications, and services, starting from the design phase of the development life-cycle. The on-going paradigm shift toward a knowledge-intensive information society is already bringing about radical changes in the way people work and interact with each other and with information. The requirement for Universal Design stems from the growing impact of the fusion of the emerging technologies, and from the different dimensions of diversity which are intrinsic to the information society.

Universal Access

Universal Access refers to the concious and systematic effort to practically apply principles, methods and tools of universal design in order to develop Information Society Technologies which are accessible and usable by all citizens, including the very young and the elderly, and people with different types of disabilities, thus avoiding the need for a posteriori adaptations or specialised design.

Information Society for All

The term Information Society, although attributed with different meanings and connotations, is frequently used to refer to the new socio-economic and technological paradigm likely to occur, as a result of an all-embracing process of change that is currently taking place. Universal access in the Information Society signifies the right of all citizens to obtain equitable access to, and maintain effective interaction with, a community-wide pool of information resources and artefacts. The requirements for universal access and quality in use for the broadest possible user population progressively emerge into first order objectives for an Information Society for All.

IS4ALL Glossary of Terms

C | E | F | H | I | M | P | Q | R | S | T | U

C

Context of use.
The ISO 9241 definition of context of use is: "… the nature of the users, tasks and physical and social environments in which a product is used".

Back to Index of Glossary of Terms | Back to top

E

Electronic Health Record.
Digitally stored (subset of the) healthcare record about an individual's lifetime with the purpose to support the continuity of care (quality, access, efficiency), education and research.

Electronic Health Record System.
Information systems that manage and operate on the Electronic Health Record. Helps to access and share information to qualified persons in a user-friendly manner. Meets the security requirements to ensure confidentiality of data.

Back to Index of Glossary of Terms | Back to top

F

Focus group.
Focus groups are a somewhat informal technique that can help you assess user needs and feelings both before interface design and long after implementation. In a focus group, you bring together from six to nine users to discuss issues and concerns about the features of a user interface. The group typically lasts about two hours and is run by a moderator who maintains the group's focus.
Focus groups often bring out users' spontaneous reactions and ideas and let you observe some group dynamics and organizational issues. You can also ask people to discuss how they perform activities that span many days or weeks: something that is expensive to observe directly. However, they can only assess what customers say they do and not the way customers actually operate the product. Since there are often major differences between what people say and what they do, direct observation of one user at a time always needs to be done to supplement focus groups.

Back to Index of Glossary of Terms | Back to top

H

Health Telematics Context.
A physical environment bound to a medical institution (hospital, clinic, ward) or the user's business or residential environment, provided that it allows authorized users to access and interact with (parts of) electronic patient data (record).

Back to Index of Glossary of Terms | Back to top

I

Information Society
The term refers to the new socio-economic and technological paradigm likely to occur, as a result of an all-embracing process of change that is currently taking place.

Information Society Technologies.
Information Society Technologies refers to innovative technologies that drive the emergence of the Information Society, either as a result of incremental demands on behalf of the customer base, technological breakthroughs, or fusion-type innovation. The primary industry sectors that generate and push the development of these technologies are the information technology, telecommunications and media sectors.

Information Society for all.
Universal access in the Information Society signifies the right of all citizens to obtain equitable access to, and maintain effective interaction with, a community-wide pool of information resources and artifacts. The requirements for universal access and quality in use for the broadest possible user population progressively emerge into first order objectives for an Information Society for All.

Interaction platform.
The software resources and the computational devices used for interacting with an interactive system. A platform's software resources determine the way information is computed, transmitted, rendered and manipulated by users.

Back to Index of Glossary of Terms | Back to top

M

Method.
Any form of structured approach or collection of instruments, which either organizes the entire development life-cycle of an interactive product or service into distinct phases or contributes towards specific objectives of a particular phase.

Method template.
A structured description or interview used to provide a detailed insight of a method.

Macro-method.
A process-oriented description that specifies stages and phases of a design activity; for example Human Centered Design as presented in ISO 13407 is a macro-method.

Micro-method.
A technique or instrument, which provides insight to a specific question or issue in the course of a design stage or activity.

Back to Index of Glossary of Terms | Back to top

P

Proactive approach/method.
A method or a structured approach towards addressing design problems associated with artifacts in an a priori fashion (i.e. before the artifact is finalized and put into actual use).

Back to Index of Glossary of Terms | Back to top

Q

Quality in use.
The notion of quality is typically associated with various meanings and connotations, while there is also variation with regards to how it can be achieved as part of the production process. For the purposes of IS4ALL quality in use entails the study of a broad range of functional and non-functional attributes, which determine computer-mediated human activities.

Quality attribute.
System qualities often expressed as non-functional quality requirements (i.e. reliability, usability, maintainability, reusability, etc.

Back to Index of Glossary of Terms | Back to top

R

Reactive approach/method.
A method or a structured approach towards addressing design problems associated with artifacts in a posteriori fashion (i.e. the problem is remedied once it has occurred).

Back to Index of Glossary of Terms | Back to top

S

Scenario.
A description of a possible set of events (computer-mediated human activities) that might reasonably take place in a Health Telematics Environment (see Health Telematics Environment).

Back to Index of Glossary of Terms | Back to top

T

Task.
A finite sequence of user activities or system functions, which may or may not have an interactive embodiment.

Task environment.
See task execution context.

Task execution context.
The overall context (including the underlying platform, the set of objects, people and events that are peripheral to the task, but may have an impact on the system and/or the user's behavior, either during, before or after the task's execution. Critical parameters of the execution context of a task are the user profile, the access platform and the context of use.

Back to Index of Glossary of Terms | Back to top

U

Usability.
In the recent literature, there are several definitions of the term usability. In this report, we adopt the definition offered in ISO 9241 (Part 11), though we admit that such a definition offers a performance-oriented perspective on usability. Thus, usability is defined as the extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context of use.

User.
The individual(s) directly involved in the execution of a task using an interactive system.

Universal design.
Universal Design (or Design for All) is an inclusive and proactive approach seeking to accommodate diversity in the users and usage contexts of interactive products, applications, and services, starting from the design phase of the development life-cycle. The on-going paradigm shift toward a knowledge-intensive information society is already bringing about radical changes in the way people work and interact with each other and with information. The requirement for Universal Design stems from the growing impact of the fusion of the emerging technologies, and from the different dimensions of diversity, which are intrinsic to the information society.

Universal access.
The conscious and systematic effort to practically apply principles, methods and tools of universal design in order to develop Information Society Technologies which are accessible and usable by all citizens, including the very young and the elderly, and people with different types of disabilities, thus avoiding the need for a posteriori adaptations or specialized design.

Universal access code of practice.
A structured methodology describing how universal access principles can be accommodated in the development life-cycle of interactive products and services.

Universal Access Assessment Workshop.
A participatory technique which seeks to bring together early in the design phase all stakeholders to unfold the universal access design space of an interactive product or service.

Back to Index of Glossary of Terms | Back to top