The course aims to enable students to understand the purpose of ergonomic design, especially in reference to the creation of environments and living and working conditions that are healthy and safe, also in view of the management of situations of disability. The physiological, psychological and performance criteria that motivate the ergonomic design choices will be highlighted. The main architectural barriers that limit accessibility and hinder the movement and orientation of people with disabilities will be analyzed with the students, illustrating the possible solutions referred to to the home, work and public environments. Furthermore, examples and project experiences related to particular segments of the population will be reported. At the end of the course, students will be able to recognize the elements of inadequacy related to environments, tools and activities, and will be able to indicate solutions to improve accessibility, usability and use of the same.
Teaching Methods
The course takes place mainly through lectures and presentation of commented slides; the active participation of students is required in the analysis of common situations of daily life and work. The discussion of particular cases has the function of exercising both the evaluative and the design dimension of the ergonomic approach.
Assessment Methods
The exam takes place orally, and includes three questions asked by the examiner (on the basis of the handout provided to the students, and the material of the lessons) and a topic chosen by the examiner. The result of the test is formulated out of thirty (0-30), assigning equal weight to the questions posed, and evaluating as a whole: completeness and precision of the answer, completeness of language, added elements of enrichment of information, organic thought.
Texts
M. Imbriani, G. Bazzini, F. Franchignoni (edited by). Argomenti di Terapia Occupazionale. vol. 2. Volume of 280 pages, Aracne Editrice, Rome 2009. Bazzini G., Imbriani M. Ergonomia, ergoterapia e lavoro. Aracne Editore, Rome 2016; volume of 565 pages.
Contents
A brief history of ergonomics and fields of application. Summary of the physiological, psychological and performance characteristics of the human operator, possible drifts and pathological alterations attributable to the design, and corresponding suitability requirements for the construction of tools and environments, and for the preparation of activities.
