How mobile app developers conceive of dyslexia and what it means for mobile app users

This study surveys the landscape of 531 apps identified in a search for mobile apps for dyslexia and examines how their developers conceive of dyslexia. Results suggest most developers use the word dyslexia to increase the visibility of their apps within digital distribution platforms but...

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Main Authors: Kara Dawson, Pavlo Antonenko, Shilpa Sahay, Linda Lombardino
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: ASLERD 2016-03-01
Series:Interaction Design and Architecture(s)
Online Access:https://ixdea.org/28_4/
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author Kara Dawson
Pavlo Antonenko
Shilpa Sahay
Linda Lombardino
author_facet Kara Dawson
Pavlo Antonenko
Shilpa Sahay
Linda Lombardino
author_sort Kara Dawson
collection DOAJ
description This study surveys the landscape of 531 apps identified in a search for mobile apps for dyslexia and examines how their developers conceive of dyslexia. Results suggest most developers use the word dyslexia to increase the visibility of their apps within digital distribution platforms but do not intentionally design with dyslexics in mind. Those developers intentionally designing for dyslexics often have accurate but simplistic and one-dimensional conceptions of dyslexia and, unfortunately, some also have misconceptions especially as related to the myth that dyslexia can be cured or outgrown. Although a small number of developers are collaborating with dyslexia experts to design their apps, the onus for determining the quality of most apps is left to users. Examples of curated resource repositories and evaluation rubrics for mobile apps are provided to support users in this endeavor.
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spelling doaj.art-861d4fe0f48843e7aaaf5960126d459d2023-09-03T13:36:27ZengASLERDInteraction Design and Architecture(s)2283-29982016-03-0128698410.55612/s-5002-028-004How mobile app developers conceive of dyslexia and what it means for mobile app usersKara DawsonPavlo AntonenkoShilpa SahayLinda Lombardino This study surveys the landscape of 531 apps identified in a search for mobile apps for dyslexia and examines how their developers conceive of dyslexia. Results suggest most developers use the word dyslexia to increase the visibility of their apps within digital distribution platforms but do not intentionally design with dyslexics in mind. Those developers intentionally designing for dyslexics often have accurate but simplistic and one-dimensional conceptions of dyslexia and, unfortunately, some also have misconceptions especially as related to the myth that dyslexia can be cured or outgrown. Although a small number of developers are collaborating with dyslexia experts to design their apps, the onus for determining the quality of most apps is left to users. Examples of curated resource repositories and evaluation rubrics for mobile apps are provided to support users in this endeavor.https://ixdea.org/28_4/
spellingShingle Kara Dawson
Pavlo Antonenko
Shilpa Sahay
Linda Lombardino
How mobile app developers conceive of dyslexia and what it means for mobile app users
Interaction Design and Architecture(s)
title How mobile app developers conceive of dyslexia and what it means for mobile app users
title_full How mobile app developers conceive of dyslexia and what it means for mobile app users
title_fullStr How mobile app developers conceive of dyslexia and what it means for mobile app users
title_full_unstemmed How mobile app developers conceive of dyslexia and what it means for mobile app users
title_short How mobile app developers conceive of dyslexia and what it means for mobile app users
title_sort how mobile app developers conceive of dyslexia and what it means for mobile app users
url https://ixdea.org/28_4/
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