Experiences with professional theatre for awareness raising

For universal design to be successful, it is essential to understand the needs, wants and characteristics of all user groups, particularly those people who find currently available information technology systems frightening, confusing, and difficult to use. A wide range of standards and guidelines are available, but these do not always have sufficient impact on the design process. It is argued that, in order to design for such “digitally disadvantaged” people, it is important that designers develop an empathy with such groups.The paper refers to previous published work and describes more recent examples of how HCI researchers worked with theatre professionals – script writers, actors and directors – to produce a range of dramatic performances, using both film and interactive live theatre. These techniques have been used to raise awareness amongst student and professional designers of the characteristics, needs and …