Technical Guidelines for the Universal Design of In-home Displays launched in Ireland
_330x168.jpg "Image of person holding hand held device, image of screen with eight buttons, image of NDA Technical Guidance publication and image of screen with two arrows and ok button.")
Smart Meters are due to be installed across Ireland between 2016 and 2019 and to ensure that consumers will be able to see near real-time information on their energy consumption. In order to ensure the smart meters will be accessible for all, the Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the National Disability Authority’s Centre for Excellence in Universal Design have recently launched (December 2014) technical guidelines.
The guidelines aim to ensure that In-Home Displays are easy to access, understand and use by the broadest range of people (e.g. Older people, people with disabilities and those who will have specific needs and difficulties) who will use them to manage their energy budgets.
The guidelines provide a range of information and address a number of Universal Design considerations including Button design; Screen interface design; In-Home Display screen information; Text and visual information; Verbal and auditory communication; Volume and sound control and guidance on setup and installation to name a few.
