Designing an e-commerce system accessible to illiterate people Essay Example
The onslaught of information technology has made the World Wide Web integral in today’s society. Information is now available in just one click. However, accessing the Web may not be as easy for individuals who may have visual, language or motor problems. Specific aids have been introduced to allow them access to the Internet. Furthermore, due of the universal popularity of the Internet, online merchandising [or e-commerce] is becoming the norm. While the available technologies are useful in assisting the illiterate to access web sites, there lies a problem in conducting e-commerce.
This research aims to create an e-commerce system accessible to both illiterate and non-illiterate people. The system, which will use touch screen symbols and voice activation methods, will be developed using either system- server of client-based. Background: Developments in helping the illiterate people include the PIC Sys
...tem, which uses pictograms and ideograms, the Lingraphica system, a word-concept database, and the Icon-Communication system CAILS Computer Assisted Language System, which is rooted in visual language (Goetze & Strothotte, 20008).
Different medias have been developed for the visually impaired, hearing impaired and illiterate to access the Internet- touch screen symbols, text reader and audio tools. These applications have enabled them to overcome the effects of their impairments and limitations. Rationale: ICT should not be a hindrance for individuals with visual, language and motor problems. Information should readily be available to the literates as well as the illiterates.
Whilst there are applications that allow them access, there are still limitations. E-commerce is rapidly becoming the one of the Internet’s best features, allowing people to buy and sell electronically. The same could not
be said for the illiterate for no such system exists. An e-commerce system for the illiterate shows great potential for development, empowering the illiterate via technology. The fact that the proposed system is also accessible for the literate is its unique selling point.
Methodology: In this research, qualitative and quantitative methods will be employed. Sample from a target population will be interviewed/ surveyed regarding their opinions on this development. Likewise, studies on current illiterate system architectures will be conducted to provide background and basis for prototype. Some of the questions that should be answered include:
1. How will the users figure out the use of an icon only/voice activated system? 2. Will they be able to understand the procedures to obtain services? 3. Will they be able to comprehend the design of user interface? 4. Will they be satisfied with the functional behaviour of system? 5. Will they get the desired output? 6. Will it fulfil their goals? 7. At what cost, time and effort? 8. After all the investments, will it make their life easy? 9. Will it take care of their security, privacy, safety concerns? Will they feel empowered and independent? How to ensure overall usability of the system?
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