Interaction and tactile interface design: the specific case of design for deaf children

Abstract

Touch screen devices are a reality that, although recent, has a considerable impact on today’s society. Digital technologies have become a means of facilitating and enhancing information and communication. As children are among its main enthusiasts and users, it is up to designers to interpret this change of paradigm and face the challenge of designing specifically for this group. It is considered that these devices become especially effective as a communication interface for children with some sort of difficulty. Several authors have conducted researched concerning interaction and interface design for children, but regarding deaf children the information is still scarce and disperse. Thus, this article presents a number of aspects to consider, relating to the design of interfaces and interaction, when designing applications for touchscreen devices (iPad), for deaf children. To highlight the principles underlying the project for that group of users, is taken as an example the application (app) in development "o rato do campo e o rato da cidade" although some other references may appear.