In the United States, there are approximately 50,000 people newly infected with HIV each year. Fear of rejection and other factors related to stigma affect how and when people communicate their HIV status. Research has shown that HIV disclosure through non-face-to-face modes, for example with e-mail and chat, afford benefits that include helping both parties control and process emotions and lessening the chance of violence. To help facilitate the process of an HIV-positive person communicating her or his HIV status in an effective, informative, and non-face-to-face manner, we designed an e-disclosure service called PositiveMagnetism. PositiveMagnetism is a web-supported animated e-card service, allowing the sender to input personalized text and video to convey a message to the recipient. The personalized message is incorporated into an educational video of evidence-based facts and preventative tips regarding HIV - all conveyed in an animated info-graphic form. PositiveMagnetism consists of three parts: a website allowing a person to upload or webcam a personalized video message; an animated e-card video incorporating HIV facts and prevention strategies with the personalized video message; and an invitational e-mail welcoming the recipient of the e-card to view the e-card video. We assembled and collaborated with an advisory board consisting of HIV/AIDS researchers, people living with HIV, and other related professionals to help us throughout the design process. In addition, we conducted two surveys targeting participants who have experienced HIV disclosure. The contributions of this work are design artifacts consisting of a service website, an animated infographic of core supportive information, and a video prototype demonstrating two users (sender and receiver) interacting and utilizing the PositiveMagnetism service. This work contributes to increasing knowledge, awareness, and education regarding HIV to help facilitate HIV disclosure between potential serodiscordant partners.

As young people between the ages of 16 and 24 become more engaged in their communities, they begin to seek out ways to contribute to volunteer activities. As this occurs, young people often need to track their service efforts, and organizations need to regularly reach out to volunteers and validate their participation. Despite advancements in web technology, paper logs that are prone to becoming unorganized or misplaced are still used by people and organizations as the primary method for keeping track of volunteering records. Such was the case for our nonprofit client, the University of Washington Foundation. To improve this situation, we first conducted a literature review on attitudes and behavior around volunteering. We then designed an online survey that was filled out by 64 qualifying respondents, and conducted 20 in-person interviews with students from local Seattle Public Schools and the University of Washington. Results suggested that young people consider (1) organization, (2) history tracking, and (3) event coordination as important qualities in helping to better manage their volunteering efforts. Building on those findings, we sought to create a web application called vTracker that allows volunteers to centralize their records in an online database for better safekeeping, verification, and retrieval. vTracker’s design and implementation process included the creation of wireframe diagrams, user interface design specifications, and a functional prototype. According to feedback from students and our client organization that tested our prototype, vTracker provides a convenient way for volunteers to set personal service goals and have their volunteer hours validated by participating organizations; similarly, organizations can share volunteer opportunities, confirm volunteer profile records, and recommend the work of their volunteers. Eventually, the Student Philanthropy Education Program of the University of Washington Foundation will adopt the web application as an active record-keeping tool because vTracker effectively streamlines their volunteer management process.

Many university student organizations host events for a broader population than just their member base. Yet, these organizations’ events often lack visibility among the broader student population. We examined this problem in the context of the University of Washington, a large public university in the Pacific Northwest. The goal of this project was to develop an effective solution for both students and organizations. To understand students’ needs, we deployed a survey to the general student population and received 72 responses. We also interviewed three student organization leaders and six students on event attendance habits. Based on this data, we identified key features for an information system that would be responsive to students’ needs. To refine these ideas, we developed and tested feature concepts in multiple prototypes to explore various designs. With this feedback, we then built a website that provides students with: (1) access to more events; (2) ability to personalize profiles to display only events likely of interest to them; and (3) integration with Facebook. Specifically, when students create an account on the website, they are able to select specific “tags” (i.e., social, academic development, and so forth) and specific student organizations that match their interests. The events displayed in students’ profiles match their set preferences. From the organizational perspective, our solution enables easier promotion of events. A core focus of the website is Facebook integration. Students are able to log in to our website with their Facebook accounts for their convenience. Student organizations are able to create a profile, then upload events to our website by directly importing events information from Facebook. For our solution to be successful, the website must gain wide adoption by students and organizations. Ultimately, we hope wide usage of our website will lead to increased event visibility and participation amongst the student community.

Touchscreen technology has progressed considerably with the continued innovation of touchscreen devices, yet the development of interaction techniques has largely stagnated. If touchscreen devices are going to become more than just a novelty, new interaction techniques that allow users to be more efficient are necessary. This study examines three input techniques of 'right clicking' on touchscreens: (1) a long press, (2) a double tap, and (3) a two-touch. To test these three input techniques we introduced a new method of data collection, consisting of incorporating research that might be done as a lab experiment into a publicly available video game. Our method features the deployment of an Android game that records the accuracy and speed of a user, and is specifically designed to challenge the user’s precision and interaction with their device. The input techniques are measured quantitatively by speed and accuracy for each trial. Qualitative data is collected by a survey, which is proposed to the player after a considerable amount of play time. A statistical evaluation of our results show that the double tap input technique was more accurate and faster than the other techniques (Paccuracy=X, Pspeed=Y). Our research concludes with a set of design implications for touchscreen interactions as well as comments on the validity of our public-oriented research method based on the findings presented.

Digital inclusion is the ability of individuals and groups to access and use information and communication technologies. Despite the City of Seattle being home to a thriving technology sector, many disadvantaged and underserved residents are excluded from participating in its digital economy. This negatively impacts their ability to find jobs, succeed in education, and access vital services and information. High-tech cities like San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Chicago already have digital inclusion plans adopted by their municipal government, whereas the City of Seattle has yet to create its own. This research extends the University of Washington Technology & Social Change Group’s framework for building digitally inclusive communities to create a digital inclusion plan for the City of Seattle. This project involves reviewing literature on existing municipal plans, interviewing relevant city officials, evaluating metrics of success, and inquiring how a municipal plan intersects with state and federal strategies. The developed plan will be presented to the Mayor and City Council for hopeful adoption and to offer improved direction for citywide businesses and institutions to fully participate in the City of Seattle’s 21st century digital economy.