No Elder Left Behind: Researchers Say Designers Can Help Close Tech Gap

While more older adults than ever are using cell phones and computers, a technology gap still exists that threatens to turn senior citizens into second-class citizens, according to Florida State University researchers.

Neil Charness, the William G. Chase Professor of Psychology, and Walter R. Boot, an assistant professor of psychology, found that both the attitudes and abilities of older adults pose barriers to adopting new forms of technology and urged designers to consider those barriers when developing new products.

Charness and Boot will publish a review of the research on the topic in Current Directions in Psychological Science.

Seniors quite literally perceive new technology differently than younger adults do.

Changes in acuity, color perception and susceptibility to glare affect the way they see a computer screen.

They also have greater difficulty with fine motor control and coordination.

However, knowing these constraints, designers can create better products for older adults, the researchers said.

more: fsu.edu/news/2009/10/22/tech.gap/ (12)

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