User model

A computational representation of a user's characteristics, abilities, preferences, and behavior patterns, used to predict how they will interact with a system or to adapt an interface to their needs. In accessibility contexts, user models capture attributes such as motor range and precision, visual acuity, cognitive processing speed, and familiarity with assistive technologies. These models can drive adaptive interfaces that automatically adjust to individual needs, or power simulators that predict interaction patterns for users with different disabilities without requiring direct user testing. User modeling for people with disabilities is more challenging than for the general population because the range of abilities is far more diverse and interaction patterns differ significantly from those assumed by mainstream HCI models.