Ageism and access to technology

Steve Hards

The International Longevity Centre – UK (ILC-UK), has published a think piece by Simon Roberts, the anthropologist and Intel’s lead for technology research for independent living, entitled: The Fictions, Facts and Future of Older People and Technology. The gist is that, just as society disables people with physical and mental impairments, incipient ageist attitudes on the part of technologists (who tend to be ‘not old’) create unnecessary barriers for older people to technology. The problem goes beyond ‘design’ issues, and many Telecare Aware readers will find his comments on language interesting.