Tech Is Ignoring a Huge Untapped Market: Older People
Older folks are poorly represented in tech — and it shows in its designs
It’s becoming increasingly popular for tech companies to design for accessibility when it comes to disabled users. There are intro to web accessibility lists all over the internet. The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) has easy-to-follow tips for getting started with accessible design and accessible development.
Google is just one example of a company giving accessibility more of a platform. The Silicon Valley-based company has an entire accessibility team whose job it is to envision a world made for everyone, “without limits or barriers,” and give guidance, incorporate accessibility, and build products with this vision in mind. They built Lookout in 2018, an A.I.-powered app that helps blind and visually impaired folks learn about and navigate their surroundings. In the same year, they also launched a series of short video lessons on the Google Primer app, geared to help designers, developers, and small business owners build with accessibility in mind.
There are a variety of ways both apps and physical technology can be created with older users in mind, without alienating younger users.
