ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the use of physical capability loss simulators as an evaluation tool aimed at helping designers to experience and anticipate more objectively some of the problems that people, exhibiting varying degrees of physical capability loss, may encounter when interacting with a wide range of everyday products, services and environments. It discusses how the calibration of the capability loss simulators could be approached to develop a tool that enables designers to objectively quantify the difficulties imposed by particular product features. The aim of using simulators during the design process is to explore alternative and engaging ways of assessing the ease of use of everyday interactions. The toolkit presented is made of modular components, each one addressing the simulation of physical capability loss in different parts of the body. The simulation toolkit is basically divided into the number of capabilities that it tries to impair: vision, hearing, locomotion, reaching and stretching, and dexterity.
