3 ms·

Seems that article is more about interfaces for the handicapped than anything specific to the elderly; probably because being elderly in general doesn't preclud

Seems that article is more about interfaces for the handicapped than anything specific to the elderly; probably because being elderly in general doesn't preclude one from technology. In my experience it's the elderly people who have no desire to learn something new that are the issue. My GF's dad is in his 70s and uses his iPhone, iPad and laptop regularly with no issues, because he embraced technology years ago, uses it every day and is open to learning how to use it. His wife on the other hand is a little more "set in her ways" and intentionally avoids technology aside from a few things like Facetime and Plants vs Zombies, and as such runs into a lot of everyday issues that she doesn't know how to deal with and just waves them over to him or me or the nearest Apple Genius. Technology being "impenetrable" is not a trait only applied to the elderly. It's initially "impenetrable" to everyone when they first start using it, whether that be at age 3 or age 80. Learning to use technology well comes with experience like anything else, and those many elderly people who have attained some technical proficiency are proof of this. If someone doesn't want to put forth that effort then they shouldn't feel patronized when the interface assumes the lowest common denominator. Now designing for medical issues and handicaps that may or may not come with age is another issue. I'm all for medical accessibility, but I'd divorce that issue from "designing for the elderly", on the grounds of over-generalization. For instance, phones with oversized numbers are also used by legally blind young people.

derefr 11y ago
> For instance, phones with oversized numbers are also used by legally blind young people. Huh; I could understand wanting physical buttons rather than a touchscreen, but the standard 10-digit keypad is incredibly easy to dial "by feel"—or, basically, to touch-type on. Why make it bigger? Is it for the really young legally-blind people who are first learning to use a phone? I mean, we don't make keyboards for legally blind people with bigger keys, do we? (There are keyboards with braille guides, but that's somewhat orthogonal.)
- pimlottc 11y ago
  "legally blind" does not necessarily mean completely without sight. It means your corrected vision is less than 20/200 or your field of view is less than 20. And yes, they do make accessible keyboards with larger, easier to see keys: https://www.bigkeys.com/ https://www.bigkeys.com/ http://www.morekeyboard.com/ http://www.morekeyboard.com/ http://www.amazon.com/Chester-Creek-VB2-VisionBoard2-Keyboard/dp/B000OCQTWM http://www.amazon.com/Chester-Creek-VB2-VisionBoard2-Keyboar...
eshvk 11y ago
> In my experience it's the elderly people who have no desire to learn something new that are the issue. I personally think there is a little bit of give and take. I grew up with Nokia phones where usability was absolutely terrible. I used to spend hours initially playing with the menu grokking it before I would be versatile with it. I still remember the technology attitude where being "smart" to use your product was prized. Then came along Steve Jobs and the iPhone. He designed something that my mom could use with a few touches. Now one is free to design products for whoever they wish to target, the select clientele those who get it. That is fine. After all, Unix is still used, even by me on a day to day basis and I kind of hate how unintuitive the commands are. BUT, there is a space for intuitive design that targets everyone. I would bet that building a product that addresses those issues ground up makes for more money. Again, personally speaking.

derefr 11y ago

> For instance, phones with oversized numbers are also used by legally blind young people. Huh; I could understand wanting physical buttons rather than a touchscreen, but the standard 10-digit keypad is incredibly easy to dial "by feel"—or, basically, to touch-type on. Why make it bigger? Is it for the really young legally-blind people who are first learning to use a phone? I mean, we don't make keyboards for legally blind people with bigger keys, do we? (There are keyboards with braille guides, but that's somewhat orthogonal.)

pimlottc 11y ago
"legally blind" does not necessarily mean completely without sight. It means your corrected vision is less than 20/200 or your field of view is less than 20. And yes, they do make accessible keyboards with larger, easier to see keys: https://www.bigkeys.com/ https://www.bigkeys.com/ http://www.morekeyboard.com/ http://www.morekeyboard.com/ http://www.amazon.com/Chester-Creek-VB2-VisionBoard2-Keyboard/dp/B000OCQTWM http://www.amazon.com/Chester-Creek-VB2-VisionBoard2-Keyboar...

eshvk 11y ago

> In my experience it's the elderly people who have no desire to learn something new that are the issue. I personally think there is a little bit of give and take. I grew up with Nokia phones where usability was absolutely terrible. I used to spend hours initially playing with the menu grokking it before I would be versatile with it. I still remember the technology attitude where being "smart" to use your product was prized. Then came along Steve Jobs and the iPhone. He designed something that my mom could use with a few touches. Now one is free to design products for whoever they wish to target, the select clientele those who get it. That is fine. After all, Unix is still used, even by me on a day to day basis and I kind of hate how unintuitive the commands are. BUT, there is a space for intuitive design that targets everyone. I would bet that building a product that addresses those issues ground up makes for more money. Again, personally speaking.