Implementing Accessibility Settings in Touchscreen Apps for People Living with Dementia

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Gerontology
• Digital Health

Background:

• Accessibility options in apps enhance usability, but have not been explored for people with dementia.
• Addressing this gap is crucial to prevent a digital divide and ensure inclusion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of tailored accessibility settings for people with dementia in mainstream gaming apps.
• To measure the impact on gameplay initiation, independent play, and enjoyment.

Main Methods:

• Thirty participants tested two adapted mainstream gaming apps (Solitaire, Bubble Explode) with accessibility features.
• Gameplay experience was compared with and without the adapted settings, referencing a previous study.

Main Results:

• Accessibility features significantly improved usability and gameplay initiation in the adapted Solitaire app.
• Bubble Explode maintained high usability without adaptation; no significant differences in progression or enjoyment were found for either app.

Conclusions:

• This study demonstrates the feasibility and positive impact of implementing accessibility settings for dementia in mainstream apps.
• Findings provide core principles for touchscreen interaction and design to inform future dementia-friendly app development.