Abstract
Momento represents the combined effect of a universal design approach focused on meeting human needs and the strength of digital technologies. This initiative is based on a deep understanding of the issues associated with Alzheimer's and the challenges faced by patients and their caregivers. Using User-Centered Design and Universal Design methods, a product has been conceived to provide indispensable and concrete assistance. The main intent of this thesis is to use modern capabilities and technologies to improve the lives of a specific population segment that otherwise would not have access to such resources. By implementing the Human-Centered Design approach, Momento presents itself as a reliable digital companion in the daily lives of every individual.
Thesis — Introduction
Within this thesis project, various subjects will be addressed, including, in terms of usability and accessibility, the approach to design. The world in which we live – the contemporary world – is profoundly shaped by a multitude of factors, but one of the most evident distinctive traits is the growing and unstoppable wave of digitalisation that has pervaded our society.
The digital realm, with all its facets and the platforms that constitute its backbone, plays a fundamental role in our daily lives. It no longer simply represents an option or a choice; instead, it has transformed into an essential and pervasive element of our lives. These platforms, which guide us, assist us, and keep us connected, have become a sort of additional “organ” such that their absence would be almost inconceivable. Our world has been shaped and permeated by the digital, by a reality that presents itself as hyper-globalised, characterised by a deep network of interconnections, but which, at the same time, presents significant gaps in terms of accessibility.
This thesis aims to explore the digital world as a supportive tool and ally in the everyday lives of people, through the study of approaches to usability and accessibility. The portion of the population examined is that unable to fully exploit this tool. This refers to individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease, an illness that progressively compromises the ability to interact both with society and the platforms themselves as its symptoms advance.
The primary objective of the thesis is to – through the study and use of methods and techniques aimed at improving the accessibility and usability of digital platforms – create a tool that can be supportive and universally accessible. This means not only making digital technologies usable by anyone, regardless of their cognitive or physical abilities, but also ensuring that these technologies are capable of providing real support in daily challenges.
In summary, this thesis aims to explore the digital as a means through which it is possible to improve the quality of life for individuals who would otherwise find themselves at a disadvantage, promoting digital inclusion and accessibility for all. This is a fundamentally important goal in today’s society, where the digital represents an essential component of the lives of millions of people.
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