Conecta Fácil: what if technology were really simple for everyone?

Working with customer service and support, one thing has always caught my attention: there are tasks that seem extremely simple to those who use technology every day, but can be a real challenge for others. Connecting a device to Wi-Fi. Installing an application. Changing a setting. Using Pix safely. Identifying a possible scam attempt.

For some people, this takes a few seconds. For others, it may mean depending on someone every time they need to perform a task. It was thinking about this problem that one of my academic projects emerged: Conecta Fácil.

The idea

The proposal was to think about a digital inclusion platform aimed mainly at people with little familiarity with technology. Instead of tutorials full of technical words, the idea would be to explain each task in a simple and step-by-step way. Something like: Do this. Look for this option. Click here. Check if this appeared on the screen. I also thought about using images, short videos, and audio to make understanding even easier.

Accessibility can't just be added at the end

During the development of the idea, I realized that it wouldn't be worth creating a platform for digital inclusion if it itself were difficult to use. That's why the project considered points such as: larger and adjustable letters; adequate contrast; easy-to-identify buttons; subtitles; audio option; simple language; more direct navigation; compatibility with older devices.

I also considered a very common problem in Brazil: not everyone has a modern cell phone or fast internet. So the idea also involves light pages and optimized content for slower connections.

What I liked most about this project

Conecta Fácil is still a conceptual academic project, not a programmed application. And I make a point of making this difference clear. But it was precisely this project that made me realize something: a good technology project can start before the first line of code. First, there is a person. Then there is a problem. Then we think of a solution. Only then does technology enter as a tool.

I'm at the beginning of my training and still have a lot to learn before I can turn an idea like this into a complete application. But it would be very interesting, as I advance in programming and software development, to return to this project and try to turn it into something that works for real, little by little. Maybe someday I'll come back to this post to show this evolution.