Towards Supporting Individuals with Situational Impairments in Inhospitable Environments

In this paper, we describe an approach to develop alerts for individuals experiencing situationally-induced impairments and disabilities (SIIDs) in inhospitable environments, with a view to support situational awareness and decision making. Our research focuses on the needs of firefighters whose visual and auditory channels may be restricted while performing tasks, resulting in cues sometimes being missed. Through a series of contextual interviews, scenarios have been developed focusing on areas where alerts are required. A participatory-approach has been adopted with the aim of developing perceivable, meaningful and respected alerts, designed to better resist the impacts of SIIDs.