Interaction Design for Better Communication in Aid Assessment Meetings: An explorative study of how an interactive system may be designed in order to facilitate communication between applicant and care manager

Abstract

During aid assessment meetings people with disabilities who feel that they need help with their everyday life meets with a care manager to find suitable solutions. A good dialogue is imperative, as it is the communication of the user’s needs that is the basis for the interventions that may be considered. In order to facilitate the communication between applicant and care manager, this thesis explores how an interactive system may be designed to support the user in creating and imparting the story of their life situation. Based on tools and methods used by professionals to elicit an accurate understanding of another person’s life situation, the thesis work introduces two methodological concepts, linear and functional storytelling. With the aim to help the interaction designer who wishes to undertake a project within the area this thesis work is investigating, four prototypes are proposed and used to demonstrate and evaluate these new concepts, leading to the proposal of eleven design guidelines. Research Question "How can an interactive system be designed so that it may facilitate the communication between applicant and care manager in aid assessment meetings?" • What is a strategy for the designer to follow when approaching the interaction design of such a system? • What general guidelines may apply for designing such a system?