1. Accommodations and Assistive Technology for Seniors and Older Adults: Culture, Attitudes, and Good Technology Interventions

2. Issues Acceptance of age-related change influences acceptance of assistive technology (AT) Images, attitudes, and external appearance of technology Dissemination on knowledge of AT Functionality and effectiveness of AT

3. Asking the Right Questions about the Change Do PA system announcements seem unclear? Are people asking you to turn down the TV volume at home?

4. Asking the Right Questions about the Change Question: How cold is it in your neck of the woods? Does your body give you a weather forecast? Answer: I know the weather because Arthur was here

5. Images and Attitudes Most older adults have never heard of the term “assistive technology” Perception of technology is usually computers, email, and internet Some have used adaptive aids (e.g. magnifiers, big button phone) but have never known them as assistive technology May perceive a stigma attached to using AT

6. Discussion Questions How to discuss concerns and provide accommodations to members/volunteers who do not admit they have a disability? What are some emotional and psychological aspects of disabilities in older adults?

7. Analogy Assistive Technology is to Enhancing Work Performance ~AS~ Anti-Wrinkle Cream is to Enhancing Your Looks

8. Examples of AT Interventions Product: Ott-Lite® Target: Eye Strain and Fatigue Features: Almost completely glare-free. An artificial light source resembling natural sunlight Great for: Accessing computer screen, read fine print or thread needles

9. Examples of AT Interventions Product: Big Button Phone Target: Eye Strain and Fine Motor difficulties Features: Big buttons, volume control, flash ringer, speed dialing

10. Examples of AT Interventions Product: Door Knob Helper Features: Provides better gripping and pushing power and fits over standard door knobs

11. Examples of AT Interventions Product: Large Keyboard Labels

12. Key to Successful AT Use Understanding universality of AT Choosing and Getting to Know AT that fits your needs Information Resources and Recommendations on AT

13. Web & Print Accommodations Typeface: use sans serif type such as Arial, Helvetica, etc…not condensed, novelty or display typefaces Use 14 point size for text when possible Use upper & lowercase for text body; caps & italics for headlines; underline links only

14. Web & Print Accommodations Double space all body text Left justification is best for older adults (Don’t full or center justify) Colors: avoid yellow, blue, green in proximity – hard to discriminate Use dark letters on light background or white letters on dark. No patterns!

15. Resources JAN: Job Accommodation Network Website: http://www.jan.wvu.edu http://www.jan.wvu.edu assistivetech.net --an online listing of AT Tech Act Programs. Find your state at Website: http://www.resna.org/taproject/at/statecont acts.html http://www.resna.org/taproject/at/statecont acts.html

16. More Resources….. Center on Aging and Disabilities, University of Miami School of Medicine National Service Inclusion Project Senior friendly web site at: http://www.nihseniorhealth.gov