Requirements for Information Technologies in Accessible Tourism: A Perspective from People with Special Needs
摘要
To ensure the success of accessible tourism information systems, it is crucial to involve and consider the perspectives of people with special needs (PwSN). With this goal in mind, this study aims to identify the requirements most valued by people with special needs to design a web-based information system that enhances tourism accessibility. To achieve this, questionnaires were used, which allowed the identification of the most important information requirements as well as accessibility functionalities that an eventual platform should have. PwSN particularly values retrieving information about the accessibility of diverse tourism facilities and the accessible format in which this information reaches them. Simple language, easy navigation, and connection with assistive technologies were considered crucial factors, too. After retrieving these requirements, some developed interfaces from an information technology solution prototype are presented. These interfaces intend to illustrate the conversion of the requirements into actual functionalities. Overall, this study provides an overview of the perspective of people with special needs on information technologies, specifically within the context of accessible tourism.