Even if new technology becomes affordable to older people on low incomes, they may not be able to use it because designers of new technology equipment do not take account of the needs of older people. It is difficult to say that such a vast group of people are the same and that all of them will have the same special needs. Old age is not a disease in itself and old people are not necessarily ill or frail. Most people under the age of 80 live in their own homes and continue their life with a minimum of support from other parties. However, it is true to say that all people are subject to an ageing process, although there is no hard and fast rule about the rate at which this occurs.
Most normal impairment affects the senses.
Unfortunately, to date we have had limited success. This has been substantiated by research undertaken on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry and to which we contributed. This looked at a wide spectrum of products related to new technology including radio, satellite, television, telecommunications, computers and multimedia. The message to industry requires reinforcement. One of the recommendations was that the government should increase awareness of the concept of design for all.