WeLL Seminar CBE UC Berkeley: PCS usability
| Título | Inclusive research and thermal comfort: Usability and Adoption of Personal Comfort Systems from People with Intellectual Disabilities |
|---|---|
| Tipo | Charla |
| Profesores | Katherine Exss |
| Descripción | Presentación en seminario WeLL en UC Berkeley |
| Rol de la Escuela | Participante |
| Contraparte(s) | Center for the Built Environment CBE, UC Berkeley |
| Rol de la Contraparte | Responsable |
| Lugar | Berkeley, California |
| Modalidad | Presencial |
| Fecha | 2024/02/14 |
| Evento | WeLL Seminar |
| Palabras Clave | personal comfort systems, thermal comfort, usability, intellectual disability |
The study of PCS has concentrated on workplace environments, with a focus on energy efficiency and occupant satisfaction in developed countries. However, the scenario shifts significantly when considering residential settings in areas characterized by energy (or fuel) poverty, where residents vary from healthy individuals to vulnerable populations. Here, PCS could significantly impact health, preventing heat/cold stress and other temperature-related discomforts. Yet, research on the residential use of PCS, particularly among populations with special needs like those with Intellectual Disability (ID), remains scarce. People with ID are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of extreme temperatures due to variations in their thermoregulatory responses and the challenges they face in independent living. This underscores the importance of incorporating this group into thermal comfort studies, as their needs highlight the critical role of PCS in ensuring their health and well-being. This presentation will show some preliminary results of the usability evaluations of 3 PCS, conducted in Chile with individuals with ID living in energy poverty dwellings. This approach seeks to identify barriers to technology use and adoption while also aiming to uncover how PCS can be optimized for individuals with intellectual disability. This exploration is relevant, considering the evolving paradigms of disability from exclusion to social models that emphasize the relevance of the interaction between individuals with disabilities and their environment. By aligning PCS development and deployment with the principles of universal design and personalized adaptation, we can ensure that these technologies are not only accessible but also empowering for all users, including those with intellectual disabilities. This research aims to contribute to a more inclusive understanding of thermal comfort, bridging the gap between technology and the diverse needs of vulnerable populations.
