The users’ perspective on Assistive Technology

A focus on older people

AGE Platform EuropeIlenia Gheno, Research Project Coordinator

Prague, Czech Republic

Raising awareness on the users' needs and wishes, on the principle and practice of users' involvement, in order to add value to the European research, to industrial production, to the service provision and and policy-making.

Pooling with other European NGOs and stakeholders: facing the challenges brought by the demographic change by working together and by sharing the rationale that nothing can be done without the involvement and consent of those the action is addressed to (“nothing for us without us”).

Voicing the needs and concerns of older people in Europe

The users'perspective on Assistive TechnologyA focus on older people

AGE Platform Europe

Bringing older people's point of view in the European policies' debates, regarding the most important dossiers for people aged 50+, such as social protection and pension reforms, anti-discrimination, employment of older workers and active ageing, social inclusion, health, research, accessible mobility and build environment, and ICT.

Who is old?• No suprise! We age since we are born• “When I'm 64”: different ages, different needs.• No black or white: men or women, healthy or not, carers or

dependent, ... there are no omogeoneous categories

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?• Reflect upon the aim of technology: should ICTs adapt to the needs

of people or should people follow the development of ICTs?• An issue of acceptance• The multiple facets of digital divide (geographical, social,

economical, cultural,...)• Vulnerability, lack of vigilance and misleading marketing

An in-depth insight regarding some common stereotypes

The users'perspective on Assistive TechnologyA focus on older people

Older people and digital literacy

Lack of experience, lack of confidence• A question of right timing: motivate people and train them to use

technology before they are in the need for it

• “I cannot afford it”• The cost remains one of the most important reason of the divide (the

basic equipment is one side of the coin; the installation, the maintainance, the emergency support are the other one)

• What about the costs of AT for older people living at home?• What about the costs of new technologies in other public or private

setting?• What will private insurance policies and the public welfare cover?• How to help the most marginalized older persons?

When motivation is not the sole problem

The users'perspective on Assistive TechnologyA focus on older people

Main concerns of older people in the use of ICT (1)

Reinforcing standards, supporting legislation for accessibility• On the shared basis of the Design-For-All approach and user

involvement• Self-declaration of accessibility is not enough• Clearer rules for manufactures and service providers

The many facets of accessibility• Accessible devices, but also accessible information and support• Reaching remote areas• Mainstremaing accessibility seamlessly (ATMs, eBanking, eVoting, ...)

Equity in accessibility• Clear information (understanding the risks, aware of the choices)• The user's ethics & privacy at stake• Informed consent, particularly tricky in case of dementia• What if the system fails...

Accessibility matters

The users'perspective on Assistive TechnologyA focus on older people

Main concerns of older people in the use of ICT (2)

The reliability of devices, systems and services• Assuring the highest interoperability possible• Providing the (personal) support needed• A way towards greater user's confidence

Available AT• Be simple, be inclusive, be there!

Don't forget to make AT attractive enough!• Finding the right compromise among mainstreamed and targeted

solutions• Take heed of the funny aspect of AT :-)

Accessibility & Acceptance > Market push > Availabilty > Affordability

The users'perspective on Assistive TechnologyA focus on older people

Main concerns of older people in the use of ICT (3)

Simplicity, usefulness, non intrusiveness, reliable, secure and safe, interoperable

A win-win context

– Involving the users in processes and decisions:• From the very beginning, since the first

planning/design/brainstorming• Including the largest variety of users possible• Compling with the principles of user engagement (AGE brochure)

– Designed for all ICT products and services:• A way for enhancing the usability• A way of disposing of wider markets and reinforcing competition• A way of supporting the development of a whole society

– Remembering that AT cannot and should not replace the human support

– Remembering that “to care” means “to dedicate quality time”

The users'perspective on Assistive TechnologyA focus on older people

Involving, (em)powering

The challenges for 2012

The European Year 2012 for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generation: raising awareness on older people's concerns and added value

http://ec.europa.eu/social/ey2012.jsp?langId=en

The EIP AHA: enabling citizens to lead health, active and independent lives when ageing, responding to the challenges of ageing.

http://ec.europa.eu/research/innovation-union/index_en.cfm?section=active-healthy-ageing

The users'perspective on Assistive TechnologyA focus on older people

A European framework supporting us

Reference New Ambient Assisted Technologies: the users' perspective, E. Mestheneos,

AGE Platform EuropeOlder People in the Information Society, an Ethical Approach, AGE Platform EuropeThe Dreaming, Home Sweet Home, Mediate, Aeneas and Oasis projectsArticle on the involvement of older people in research projects, AGE Platform Europe