Adaptations of the text media type: addressing the user´s perspective

Multimedia user interfaces provide augmented interaction opportunities for the population at large to access and utilise interactive applications effectively and efficiently. Many efforts towards the development of multimedia user interfaces, however, can be characterised as technology-driven, thus not adequately supporting the exploitation of this technology by a wide range of users. In this paper, we address the development of multimedia user interfaces from a user perspective. In particular, we consider the use of the text media type and present possible adaptations of it, with respect to the particular needs, abilities and preferences of diverse user categories, including disabled people