Age and Interface: Equipping Older Adults with Technological Tools

Rittika Basu at UXDX Community: APAC Online Series. Video: https://youtu.be/163wgX6iA00

Readable transcript: edited from the recording's captions for readability (fillers and false starts removed, punctuation and section headings added). Wording is the speaker's own. Timestamps are positions in the video. Names marked [?] could not be verified against the audio.

Why older adults struggle with technology

[00:00:00] My name is Rittika Basu, and the title of my talk and session is Age and Interface: Equipping Older Adults with Technology. This project was created and dedicated in the loving memory of my late grandparents, Mississippi [?] Chandra Chaudhary [?].

[00:00:22] Now we are going to look at some statistics. In 2015, according to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, 11 percent of seniors are not confident to use computers, smartphones or electronic devices. After six years the same research center stated that only eight percent of older adults are using the internet, in contrast to 48 percent of younger adults being netizens. It has been observed that seniors are the least inclined demographic towards digital applications. What these statistics are trying to tell us is that seniors aged 60 years and above are uncomfortable using new technologies. We also observe our grandparents struggling to use the mobile phone or smartphone. They lack digital literacy skills and are unaware of their digital rights.

[00:01:20] We are going to look at some terminologies. Digital literacy refers to the ability to use, operate and have knowledge of the mediums. It includes mobile literacy and computer literacy. A user is called a digital citizen when he or she is capable of writing emails, editing online documents, accessing information and networking via digital tools. He or she will be able to create, share and consume digital content easily, while netizens refers to individuals who use the internet frequently.

[00:01:58] Now let's look at computer anxiety. Technophobia is defined as the irrational fear and unease towards using modern technology, while computer anxiety refers to the negative attitude towards computers. Many older adults or seniors have misconceptions about technologies and are affected by technophobia or computer anxiety, hence they avoid using new gadgets.

[00:02:25] Now we have to think: why is it difficult for older adults, seniors or elderly people to use digital devices? What aging factors prevent them from becoming proficient digital citizens? And also, how can we make seniors more tech savvy and help them to embrace modern technology?

Designing for vision, motor skills and memory

[00:02:51] With age the lens in the human eye loses its flexibility and is unable to see nearby objects, a condition called presbyopia. Hence they face difficulty in identifying different shades of blues, greens or purples, or tracking fast cursor movements. They also face problems in hearing audio instructions.

[00:03:18] Hence we as designers should not use designs with small fonts or thin typefaces. Design a system where older adults or elderly browsers can change the font sizes. Rely on multiple sensory outputs; in case audio is involved, implement the option of subtitles. Text should not be smaller than 14 point size, and larger text should always be 18 points or above. Speak at a slower than normal pace and use non-verbal communication means like hand gestures and facial expressions. Speaking slowly will allow older adults the time to absorb the information and understand.

[00:04:05] Older people have slower reflexes and deteriorating motor skills. They face difficulty pressing small buttons or responding quickly. Older generations take a long time to respond and think.

[00:04:22] Hence we as designers should be designing CTAs or buttons sized at 48 pixels, and the device should not require rapid input or precise input. It should also allow for human errors. Teach on a one-to-one basis, since every senior's learning need is different. You may teach them about customizing accessibility features in their smartphones, like increasing the color contrast, using the magnifier feature or using the talk aloud feature.

[00:04:57] With age, memory deteriorates in a person. Elderly people find it difficult to memorize complex new concepts. They also prefer systems that help them to remember things, like the reminder option in smartphones or planning using Google Calendar.

[00:05:18] Avoid using features that need advanced technical knowledge, and do not use lengthy texts. Sufficient time breaks should be provided to sustain the attention span and focus of older adults. Memorizing strategies should be applied, like association, localization and repetition techniques, for example password hints or reset password links. Always provide pictures and more visuals for better communication. Older adults will prefer using devices that match their habits. They would prefer a large screen tablet with the naked eye to a small screen phone with glasses. Keep your designs simple, affordable, seamless and user friendly.

Gerontechnology, WCAG and the research

[00:06:08] Let's learn about this term. Gerontology is the science of aging and the problems associated with old age. The term gerontechnology was devised by Professor Jan Graafmans [?] in 1989; it is the combination of gerontology and technology. Gerontological designs are created by the amalgamation of gerontology and design thinking methodologies to help the older population. The knowledge is applied in medicine, nursing, academia, healthcare and behavioral psychology.

[00:06:50] We will also focus on WCAG 2.1. The full form is Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, which is an online resource that states rules and standards to make web content more understandable, usable and accessible for users with special needs or users who are differently abled. It is a helpful guide that accommodates users with low vision, hearing loss, learning disabilities and other forms of disabilities.

[00:07:25] Let's take a look at these two terms, gerontechnology and gerontological design.

[00:07:36] How I conducted research for this project: I volunteered for seven to eight months at Tech Surf 2 [?] to interact with senior citizens. Tech Surf [?] is a Canadian NGO devoted to teaching older adults about the usage of technology. They connect savvy volunteers, the younger counterparts, with older adults who lack digital literacy tools and skills.

Why teach older adults digital tools

[00:08:10] Let's learn about some of the advantages of teaching older adults about technology tools. By educating adults with digital literacy, they will be able to exercise their digital rights, moreover their right to free and safe internet, which is a fundamental right.

[00:08:33] Seniors can connect, receive and express themselves, or extend love and support to younger adults using social networking platforms. Elderly digital citizens can now share their vast knowledge, wisdom and expertise online.

[00:08:53] Elderly users will gain the ability to perform an array of tasks, like learning new skills from YouTube tutorials, online shopping, ordering groceries or medicines online, or even accessing entertainment like watching movies.

[00:09:12] The older population needs to dismantle their apprehension and biases towards technology. Moreover, self-exploration will ignite sparks of curiosity among the seniors and help them to try using new media tools for their benefit. Hence it will help in eradicating the technophobia or misconceptions that surround using technology. Computer anxiety will also get eradicated.

[00:09:49] Older adults can now feel a sense of belonging in the virtual world. It will provide them equal access and promote healthy aging, which is defined by the WHO as the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older adults. Hence it will inculcate a culture of inclusivity.

[00:10:15] Lastly, he or she will be able to create, share and consume digital content with ease and responsibility. A digital footprint grows in many ways, for example posting on social media, subscribing to a newsletter, leaving an online review, et cetera. The digital footprints of older adults will subsequently increase.

The digital literacy toolkit

[00:10:45] Now I will be talking about the toolkit to promote digital literacy. It consists of two parts. The first part is a basic introduction to digital interfaces and presents a step-by-step guide to installing mobile applications. The second part is an interactive web-based platform containing tutorials for older adults on performing various tasks on the computer.

[00:11:22] In the interest of time, I've already preloaded the website. Give me a moment. The landing page shows some of the tooltips, which is a section with visual aids, guidance, helper text and navigation information for the new user. Let's quickly skip through the tooltips.

[00:12:07] Now let's take a look at this page. Each page is accompanied by a global header for navigation. Right now we are browsing the part one section, the handbook. The handbook tab is where they will learn about iconography, gestures, accessibility features and ways to customize the user interface of the mobile phone. The speaker icons are provided as an audio feature for adults with low vision.

[00:12:45] Let's try activating one. "Beginner's handbook: an introduction to user interface. This beginner's handbook is an introduction to digital interfaces for older adults. It includes basic descriptions of iconography, customizing accessibility features, the process to install mobile applications and scan QR codes, to help Android users who are struggling to use smartphones."

[00:13:16] When a user scrolls through the handbook, he or she gets to know about user interface guidelines, or the basic anatomy of any interface. Most importantly, the users are elderly adults, and many times they are unaware of customizing the accessibility features in their mobile phones. I aim to provide some fundamental ways, like introducing them to the accessibility icons, or what types of features they can actually customize. For example, if somebody is affected by low vision, he or she will be able to increase or decrease the text size, adjust the colors, or use the magnifier feature, which allows the screen to be seen in zoomed-in versions.

[00:14:09] If someone is affected by low hearing or hearing loss, he or she will be able to turn on the talk aloud feature, for example, or try the subtitles. To accommodate dexterity issues, he or she will be able to increase the tap sizes. And the last portion of the handbook introduces the user to how to install an app.

Tutorials by level

[00:14:54] The tutorial section is one of the most important parts of this digital literacy toolkit. This section contains step-by-step guidance on performing various tasks using smartphones and computers. The tasks are divided according to their level of complexity.

[00:15:20] Level one and level two are dedicated to teaching mobile applications, and level three is for computer users. For example, making notes or browsing a topic is categorized under level one, but a complicated task such as learning a new language, reading the news, or writing your thoughts and ideas on social media forums is categorized under level two.

[00:15:52] Suppose in level one someone wants to learn how to make notes. He or she can easily go over and read the section. In case they are unable to read the instructions on how to use or create new notes, they can tap on the audio too. One more thing: all these colors pass AA compliance and were created with Colorsafe [?], an online tool that helps in creating color palettes with AA or AAA contrast. "Open the Samsung Notes app. Once opened, tap the plus icon to create a new note. The keyboard is activated by default. Write your notes and tap save. Once saved, the new note is visible in the dashboard."

[00:16:50] Each level has different [?] things he or she will be able to learn.

[00:17:03] Let's go to level two. Level two has categorized tasks like learning a language, tracking expenses and managing their finances, since most of the older population are thrifty [?] generations, so they are always budgeting or always on a strict financial plan.

[00:17:30] Let's look at the learning a language task, where they learn how to install Duolingo, or how to create their account using their mail account or any social media account. In the case of learning a new language, they always have the options.

[00:17:58] I'm going to go back to my presentation now. The other parts will contain popular mobile applications for beginners, and they are categorized by their respective themes [?]. Now going back to our presentation, this is a walkthrough video.

[00:19:08] I'm done with my presentation. Thank you, everyone, for your time and your patience.

Q&A

[00:19:20] Host: Great, thank you very much, Rittika. A really interesting concept, and some of the things I wasn't aware of before, particularly when you said that with age your eyes start to be less able to recognize shades of color. That's just something I wasn't aware of beforehand. Thank you for that. We do have a question come in from Steve, saying it's a great, practical tool and he really enjoyed it. Does it rely on educating seniors, or is there something that people who are working on products can do to try and help educate seniors themselves?

[00:20:09] Rittika: That's a very good question. I would always say it shouldn't depend on charity, because older adults are an integral part of any family or society. We all have our grandparents at home, so it should be the responsibility of each individual, because we are the ones gaining at the end of the day. They're full of wisdom and expertise, and they will always be able to help us or guide us. Especially in the pandemic times, a lot of older adults were unable to connect with the younger ones, and it was creating emotional stress. So I would always say let's not see it as a philanthropic activity but as a responsibility, or it should come out of love.

[00:20:57] Host: Excellent, I like that. Is there anything tangible people can use, like you were showing us in that tool? Is there a way that they could maybe add to their products that kind of thing? Have you seen anything successfully done like that?

[00:21:16] Rittika: I've seen a lot of gerontechnology. In my presentation I have documented some. There's a Samsung tablet which is specifically for older adults, and all the UI screens, or let's say all the visual elements, are very enlarged and very seamless; it's bite-size information. Otherwise there are a lot of gerontechnology mHealth, medical health apps for seniors, like skin by man [?], or there is Boundary Care [?], which is helping older adults faced with dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

[00:22:01] Host: Great, and it's good that some apps are taking it on board and starting to develop specifically for the needs of elderly people. Let's see if there are any other questions coming from the audience. I don't think so, so I think we might just finish up a few minutes early. Thank you very much, Rittika, for sharing. It was really interesting, everything that you shared, so thank you very much.