Technology Use in Later-Life: Considerations for Tech Designers

ABSTRACT: The need for design to accommodate the needs of diverse users is increasingly understood. What is less understood is what that means in the context of later-life – what is unique about later life that requires explicit consideration, what needs are not met without this consideration, and what processes should be used to elicit these needs? In this talk, Prof. Moffatt will explore these questions and survey recent work.

BIO: Karyn Moffatt is an Associate Professor in the School of Information Studies at McGill University and the Canada Research Chair in Inclusive Social Computing. She leads the Accessible Computing Technologies Research Group where she studies how computing applications can be designed to be more inclusive of diverse needs and preferences across the lifespan, especially with respect to supporting social engagement and interaction. Her work has been recognized with Best Paper awards from leading venues in HCI and accessibility, including ASSETS, CHI, and CSCW. She currently serves as an Associate Editor for ACM’s Transactions on Accessible Computing (TACCESS), and Secretary/Treasurer of SIGACCESS, the ACM special interest group on Accessible Computing. She recently served as Program Co-Chair for ASSETS 2020 and Sub-Committee Co-Chair—Accessibility and Aging for ACM CHI 2023.