Dexterity & Visual Impairment Research

Research shows that dexterity and visual impairments would significantly affect energy monitor use and that these conditions are common in the user group for this product. An overview of the key findings from the disability research are summarised below: 

The visual impairments that could affect energy monitor use are: 

Visual acuity - the ability to see fine details e.g. fine text on an energy monitor display.

Design solution - thick letters and increased letter spacing can improve sufferers ability to read fine details or small print.

Colour perception disability - reduced ability to distinguish between different colours; red to green is most common.

Design solution - avoiding colour combinations that clash will reduce occurrence of this problem.

Contrast sensitivity - limits a persons ability to detect the difference between foreground and background colours.

Design solution - using black on white or red on white for example and avoiding bright contrasting colour combinations will reduces the effects caused by this impairment.

Dexterity conditions affect a persons ability to lift, reach, carry and manipulate objects; use fingers, hands and arms; reduce touch sensation and therefore precision. Dexterity impairments that may affect energy monitor use: 

Parkinson’s disease - affects accuracy of movement, especially precision tasks.

Design solution - large buttons well positioned can improve usability for users.

Arthritis - around 16% of the UK population have arthritis. This will increase over time due to longer life expectancies and a higher mean age.

There are many types of arthritis but the most common are osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis affects 8.5 million people in the UK and mainly affects people over 50 - the user group. Worn cartilage leads to contact between bones causing severe pain.

Rheumatoid is more severe. This reduces movement and can lead to deformity in affected regions.


Arthritis symptoms are:
Joint pain, soreness and stiffness
Inflammation of joints
Reduced movement and reduced strength

A summary of the design consideration for designing products for people with dexterity conditions are:

Large chunky handles with grippy materials or textured surfaces.
Large buttons, well spaced and positioned.
Non slip mats.
Suitable form and maximum contact area for gripping surfaces
Products that allow left, right and 2 handed use
Avoiding products that require actions needing both vision and dexterity.
Adding controls that require low forces and low precision to operate
Wrists position should be straight and neutral

In the extreme case eye tracking and voice recognition may be required but that is out of scope for this project for costs reasons and because people with this level of disability are a separate demographic.