[bcab] Re: Web Accessibility and Ageing session at ICCHP 2008

Hi Norman.
I do also know people who are older who don't want to use the Internet. They are happy writing letters and sending them. I don't think it's so much a case of them being scared of the technology though. it's more that they are happy with the way they have worked and don't see a need to change. If they had family who really wanted them to use email many of the people I know would.
My parents would not have got the internet for example but it was a good way of booking cheap holidays and a cheap broadband and phone deal from Tiscali gave them cheap phone calls and internet at a good price and they are examples of people who do occasional web browsing and emailing and little else.
Is there any research that anyone knows of about this? are there a lot of older people who would use the web if only it was explained to them in a different way aimed at older people? My comments are after all guesses and not based on any kind of research. 

Cheers

Graham
Graham Page
Home Phone: 0207 265 9493
Mobile: 07753 607980
Fax:  0870 706 2773
Email: gpage@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
MSN: gabriel_mcbird@xxxxxxxxxxx
Skype: gabriel_mcbird
----- Original Message ----- From: "Norman Waddington PhD" <warwickhouse@xxxxxxxxxxxx> 
To: <bcab@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 4:14 PM
Subject: [bcab] Re: Web Accessibility and Ageing session at ICCHP 2008



Graham,

This is interesting.
I have a friend who was 87 in January. When she was 85 she asked me to show her how to send an e-main in order for her to get in touch with her son urgently. She is a very forward thinking lady she thinks 'If you don't use it you loose it'. 

Norman.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Graham Page" <gpage@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
To: <bcab@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 3:47 PM
Subject: [bcab] Re: Web Accessibility and Ageing session at ICCHP 2008



Hi all.

What are ageing-related functional limitations?

This is a true example of how to fog an issue by overuse of jargon.
I must say that I think people tend to wrongly assume that just because people are old, they will not take on the internet.
True I know many old people that do not use the internet but there are a hell of a lot that do as well.
People don't always bother with all the features on offer if they don't see a need for them. I am only 37 for example and, while of course many people are into it, I'm still not convinced about the need to join FaceBook so I haven't bothered to do it.
I think that if written instructions and help are written well then they should be good for everyone regardless of age. Making them specifically designed for old people can in fact hold sales back. Saga Radio is an example of this.
Material intended for older people could sell better if it were not advertised in this way. I know someone who took out a subscription to a service called PC Knowledge for Seniors. It is sent out as a book with regular features on the internet accessible to members as well. I was quite impressed with it as explanations were clear and easy to understand while not being oversimplistic. I don't know if the book is available in accessible formats, but the website is http://www.pcforseniors.co.uk/
The question is then why do we need to make an effort to make the PC accessible for older people? Surely if they think they need it they will just start using it and learn like everyone else has who perhaps did not use a computer until, say, early adulthood. 

Cheers

Graham



Graham Page
Home Phone: 0207 265 9493
Mobile: 07753 607980
Fax:  0870 706 2773
Email: gpage@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
MSN: gabriel_mcbird@xxxxxxxxxxx
Skype: gabriel_mcbird
----- Original Message ----- From: "Plumpton, Steve [BTCS]" <Steve.Plumpton@xxxxxxxxxxx> 
To: <bcab@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 11:45 AM
Subject: [bcab] Web Accessibility and Ageing session at ICCHP 2008





-----Original Message-----
From: Swan, Henny
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 11:33 AM
To: RNIB discussion list on technology
Subject: Web Accessibility and Ageing session at ICCHP 2008

Hi All,

The Web Accessibility Initiative have appointed an Aging and
Accessibility Consultant, Andrew Arch, to look at issues around aging
and accessibility. For details about how to get involved, planned events
such as ICCHP 2008 and call for papers see the email below to the WAI
Interest Group Participants:

Dear WAI Interest Group Participants,

Please note the following call for contributions to the ICCHP 2008
Conference (International Conference on Computers Helping People with
Special Needs)
        http://www.icchp.org/call <http://www.icchp.org/call>
which includes an invitation on the topic of Web accessibility and
ageing-related functional limitations. A description of the proposed
Special Thematic Session (STS) on Web Accessibility and Ageing is
available
        http://www.icchp.org/node/166 <http://www.icchp.org/node/166>

ICCHP 2008 will be held in Linz, Austria, from 9-11 July. Proposals
are due 1 February 2008. Presentations are invited from ageing and
accessibility researchers and experts, users and others. Suggested
areas of focus include:
   - guidelines addressing Web accessibility requirements of the
ageing population
   - studies and research on Web accessibility requirements of the
ageing population
   - studies and research on design and authoring practices for the
ageing population
   - studies and research on business benefits for inclusion of the
ageing population

Guidelines for full papers and short papers are available at
        http://www.icchp.org/call/papers
<http://www.icchp.org/call/papers>


--
DISCLAIMER:

NOTICE: The information contained in this email and any attachments is
confidential and may be privileged.  If you are not the intended
recipient you should not use, disclose, distribute or copy any of the
content of it or of any attachment; you are requested to notify the
sender immediately of your receipt of the email and then to delete it
and any attachments from your system.

RNIB endeavours to ensure that emails and any attachments generated by
its staff are free from viruses or other contaminants.  However, it
cannot accept any responsibility for any  such which are transmitted.
We therefore recommend you scan all attachments.

Please note that the statements and views expressed in this email and
any attachments are those of the author and do not necessarily represent
those of RNIB.

RNIB Registered Charity Number: 226227

Website: http://www.rnib.org.uk
This message has been scanned for viruses by BlackSpider MailControl - www.blackspider.com 
***  BCAB List administration ***
If you wish to unsubscribe, set vacation,, request a digest or carry out routine maintenance on your subscription to the list then go to: 
http://www.bcab.org.uk/mailing-list.html
Alternatively, send an email to bcab-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word faqin the subject line. You'll receive an email with advice on managing your subscription to the list. 

If you wish to discuss the administration of the list then contact:
bcab-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx


__________ NOD32 2836 (20080130) Information __________

This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
http://www.eset.com




***  BCAB List administration ***
If you wish to unsubscribe, set vacation,, request a digest or carry out routine maintenance on your subscription to the list then go to: 
http://www.bcab.org.uk/mailing-list.html
Alternatively, send an email to bcab-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word faqin the subject line. You'll receive an email with advice on managing your subscription to the list. 

If you wish to discuss the administration of the list then contact:
bcab-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx



--
I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users.
It has removed 2205 spam emails to date.
Paying users do not have this message in their emails.
Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len


***  BCAB List administration ***
If you wish to unsubscribe, set vacation,, request a digest or carry out routine maintenance on your subscription to the list then go to: 
http://www.bcab.org.uk/mailing-list.html
Alternatively, send an email to bcab-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word faqin the subject line. You'll receive an email with advice on managing your subscription to the list. 

If you wish to discuss the administration of the list then contact:
bcab-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx


__________ NOD32 2836 (20080130) Information __________

This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
http://www.eset.com




***  BCAB List administration ***

If you wish to unsubscribe, set vacation,, request a digest or carry out 
routine maintenance on your subscription to the list then go to:
http://www.bcab.org.uk/mailing-list.html

Alternatively, send an email to bcab-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word faqin 
the subject line. You'll receive an email with advice on managing your 
subscription to the list.

If you wish to discuss the administration of the list then contact:
bcab-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Other related posts: