Work - Volume 41, issue Supplement 1

Authors: Guimarães, B.M | Martins, L.B | Barkokébas Junior, B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This article presents the results of a survey carried out on leading periodicals in the areas of Ergonomics, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, the aim of which was to identify scientific publications on the inclusion at work of people with disabilities. The survey of articles published on this topic in the following journals was conducted in December 2010: Applied Ergonomics, Ergonomics, the International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, Disability and Rehabilitation, and the Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. The survey covered issues published between 2000 and 2010 and was conducted electronically using the CAPES Periodicals Portal. To collect the articles, it was necessary …to check the articles published in each of the issues of each volume of these periodicals. This is how the articles on the topic in question were found. There were 27 articles on the topic of inclusion at work of people with disabilities, of which 13 were published in the Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation and 12 in Disability and Rehabilitation. Thus, it is clear that the issue in question is still a subject that is seldom dealt with in these publications and it is noted that only two articles were published in Ergonomics journals in this period, thus confirming the paucity of scientific publications on this subject. Show more

Keywords: Ergonomics, person with disabilities, inclusion at work

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0024-4722

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 4722-4728, 2012

Authors: Nascimento, N. | Salvado, R. | Araújo, P. | Borges, F.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The first sentence of the Abstract should follow the word “Abstract.” on the same line. The abstract should be clear, descriptive, self-explanatory and no longer than 200 words. It should also be suitable for publication in abstracting services. Do not include references or formulae in the abstract.

Keywords: Obstacles sensor, product design, visually impaired, assistive technology, urban mobility

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0760-4729

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 4729-4732, 2012

Authors: Martins, S.B. | Martins, L.B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: People who lie beyond the “standard” model of users often come up against barriers when using fashion products, especially clothing, the design of which ought to give special attention to comfort, security and well-being. The principles of universal design seek to extend the design process for products manufactured in bulk so as to include people who, because of their personal characteristics or physical conditions, are at an extreme end of some dimension of performance, whether this is to do with sight, hearing, reach or manipulation. Ergonomics, a discipline anchored on scientific data, regards human beings as the central focus of …its operations and, consequently, offers various forms of support to applying universal design in product development. In this context, this paper sets out a reflection on applying the seven principles of universal design to fashion products and clothing with a view to targeting such principles as recommendations that will guide the early stages of developing these products, and establish strategies for market expansion, thereby increasing the volume of production and reducing prices. Show more

Keywords: Ergonomics in fashion, universal design, people with disabilities

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0761-4733

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 4733-4738, 2012

Authors: Pires, Ângela | Miguel, Rui

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This research work was based on an experimental concept of functional clothing for children with psychomotor development limitations. No matter the analyzed pathology, all these children need sensorial stimulation because of their psychomotor difficulties, especially at fine motor skills level. The main objective was to develop functional and comfortable clothing with sensorial stimulation elements (colours, textures, fragrances, sounds, etc.). It is intended, on the one hand, to increase the autonomy of the children in what concerns the act of dressing/undressing and, on the other hand, to stimulate their learning, coordination and self-esteem. A study about the specific needs of these …children concerning clothing was worked out, which consisted in inquiring their parents and therapists. Based on the inquiries results, bibliographic revision in the area of therapeutic/ interactive clothing and analysis of didactic and therapeutic material catalogues we developed a clothing prototype (sweatshirt). The prototype was then tested by the children of the study sample and the test results were, once again, explained by the parents through the fulfilling of a prototype evaluation inquiry. This study supplied some important conclusions, more directed to the confirmation of the theme significance and to the definition of a methodology to be used in future research. Show more

Keywords: Clothing Design, Functional and Interactive Clothing, Therapeutic Clothing, Psychomotor Development Delay, Sensory Stimulation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0026-4739

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 4739-4745, 2012

Authors: da Silva, Fernando Moreira

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In an ideal world, inclusive products and services would be the standard and not the exception. This paper presents a systematic approach to an overlap between Visual Communication Design, Printed Colour and Inclusive Design, for older people, with the aim to develop of a set of research-based ageing and ergonomics-centred communication design guidelines and recommendations for printed material (analogical displays). The approach included an initial extensive literature review in the area of colour, older people and ergonomics issues and vision common diseases, communication design. The second phase was the implementation of an experiment to measure the different colour experiences of …the participants in two sample groups (one in UK and another one in Portugal), using printed material, to find out the colours one should use in analogical communication material, being aware of the colour contrast importance (foreground versus background) and the difficulties experienced by older people to read and understand lettering, signs. As main contribution of this research project, we developed a set of guidelines and recommendations based on the reviewed literature and the sample groups’ findings, trying to demonstrate the importance of these guidelines when conceiving a new communicational design project in a way this project will achieve vision comfort and understandability, especially for older people, in an inclusive design perspective. Show more

Keywords: Inclusive Design, Colour, Older People, Ergonomics, Understandability

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0025-4746

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 4746-4753, 2012

Authors: Tavares, Ademario Santos | Montenegro, Glielson Nepomuceno

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Street furniture is an important element to the social and democratic life in the cities. In this case, public restrooms must be available to practically all kinds of citizens that inhabit the city. However disabled people have many difficulties in using the existing models, particularly public chemical toilets. Through a design project, a new proposition for a public chemical toilet addressed to wheelchair users was conceived. In this way, the main aspect of this work refers to the actual participation of the disabled expressing their opinion through interviews and usability analysis as well as the observation on technical recommendations for …accessibility Show more

Keywords: ergonomics, accessibility, public WC, design methodology

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0762-4754

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 4754-4761, 2012

Authors: Heidrich, Regina | Bassani, Patrícia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The first sentence of the Abstract should follow the word “Abstract.” on the same line. The abstract should be clear, descriptive, self-explanatory and no longer than 200 words. It should also be suitable for publication in abstracting services. Do not include references or formulae in the abstract. This study reports the work of the Inclusive Design research project conducted with a group of children with cerebral palsy Our project has been working with Assistive Technology and has been developing an expanded mouse and a keyboard. Nowadays, we are working as a researcher of Cognitive Ergonomics and of Inclusive Education. The …goal of our project is to establish an interdisciplinary study that focus the developing of a research in Ergonomics Design, contributing to improve the assistance to people with special needs. Method: One applied the pedagogical approach, using Vygotsky’s Social-historic Theory that advocates the concept of each individual’s experiences are important to improve them. The development methodology was based on user-centered design. Results: The results showed that as long as the students applied the new technologies they developed superior psychological processes towards social interaction, autonomy, taking part in class activities more efficiently. Also, we verified how important the new technologies in class were, considering the methodologies, objectives full and effective described on this study. This way, we do hope, from the data obtained on this research, to contribute with the ones who believe that the improvement of handicap students’ inclusion in class is a reality. Show more

Keywords: cerebral palsy, Assistive Technology, Cognitive Ergonomics, Inclusive Education

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0028-4762

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 4762-4766, 2012

Authors: Bitencourt, R.S. | de M. Guimarães, L.B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This article presents a study on the inclusion of people with disabilities (mainly mental impairment) in the workforce of a shoe company. The items that could impact on the success of inclusion were identified, and this included employees and other individuals taking part in the process. The inclusion process identified the interests, likes and dislikes of each employee with disabilities and correlated these with the activities available in the company. The case study evaluated the quality of the inclusion through interviews, questionnaires and an assessment of production efficiency. The results showed that inclusion did not adversely affect production, and highlighted …that staff with disabilities do their work correctly. According to all employees interviewed, the inclusion of staff with disabilities improved the relationship of the boss with all of the staff and also led to the work environment being enhanced. The final evaluation is that the company´s policy of inclusion succeeded. Show more

Keywords: People with disabilities, inclusion program, work organisation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0027-4767

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 4767-4774, 2012

Authors: Yao, Yen-Ting | Leung, Cherng-Yee

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Due to the vision-impaired users commonly having difficulty with mobile-phone function operations and adaption any manufacturer’s user interface design, the goals for this research are established for evaluating how to improve for them the function operation convenience and user interfaces of either mobile phones or electronic appliances in the market currently. After applying collecting back 30 effective questionnaires from 30 vision-impairment, the comments have been concluded from this research include: (1) All mobile phone manufactures commonly ignorant of the vision-impairment difficulty with operating mobile phone user interfaces; (2) The vision-impairment preferential with audio alert signals; (3) The visionimpairment incapable of …mobile-phone procurement independently unless with assistance from others; (4) Preferential with adding touch-usage interface design by the vision-impairment; in contrast with the least requirement for such functions as braille, enlarging keystroke size and diversifying-function control panel. With exploring the vision-impairment’s necessary improvements and obstacles for mobile phone interface operation, this research is established with goals for offering reference possibly applied in electronic appliance design and . Hopefully, the analysis results of this research could be used as data references for designing electronic and high-tech products and promoting more usage convenience for those vision-impaired. Show more

Keywords: 3C product, Human Factors, Interface Design, Tactile Sensations

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0763-4775

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 4775-4781, 2012

Authors: Moreira, RFC | Foltran, FA | Albuquerque-Sendín, F | Mancini, MC | Coury, HJCG

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Evidence synthesized based on randomized controlled trials (RCT) results are recognized as the pinnacle of research excellence; however, the conduction of RCT in workplace environment is not always possible. This study comparatively reviewed evidence from RCT and non-RCT studies in which participants performed workplace exercise for musculoskeletal pain control. Up to February 2011, PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, PEDro and Web of Science databases were searched. All trials that evaluated workplace exercise interventions for controlling musculoskeletal pain were included. The PEDro scale was used to rate the studies’ quality, PRISMA and Cochrane recommendations were applied, and association between frequencies of effect …size categories (small, moderate, large) from various outcomes by study type was tested (2x3 contingency table). The search yielded 10239 references in English, from which 21 RCT and 12 non-RCT were selected. Both groups of studies presented methodological flaws including descriptions of randomization, blinding of examiners and absence of intention-totreat analysis for the RCT, and further absence of controls and blind assessor for the non-RCTs. RCTs had significantly more moderate and large effect size reported in their results compared to non-RCTs (p=0.04). Considering the difficulties in randomizing participants in occupational settings, all studies would benefit from better describing pertinent methodological information. Show more

Keywords: physical education and training, workers, prevention, musculoskeletal diseases, evaluation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0764-4782

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 4782-4789, 2012