Usable Technology for Older People:
Inclusive and Appropriate
The population trend in Japan, the UK and worldwide is shifting the balance towards a predominantly older population. The current generation of older people has not achieved a familiarity with computer and information technology through their work and leisure. Information technology, however, offers older people an opportunity to participate more fully as citizens and to have a more satisfying social and leisure life. It has not proved to be true that older people reject computer technology. It is possible for them to learn to use it given suitable training methods and attention to improved access for them. This opens up enormous possibilities for them in terms of communication, entertainment, and support for declining functions. The social, political, and economic implications of this will be considerable.