ATLAS

Assistive
Technology 
Laboratory
at
Stanford

Designing Technology for an Aging Population

The world’s population is aging, especially in developed countries. The audience for most websites, apps, and digital devices includes older adults, so most websites, apps, and digital devices should be designed to accommodate them. Unfortunately, many are not.

Based on his experience designing, reviewing, and testing apps and websites with older adults, and on an extensive review of the literature, this talk given by Jeffrey Johnson, Assistant Professor in Computer Science at University of San Francisco, describes age-related factors that affect older adults’ ability to use digital technology, and present design guidelines that reflect older adults’ varied capabilities, usage patterns, and preferences. Among other things, it debunks the usefulness of a dichotomy between digital “natives” and “immigrants.”

Inclusive Housing Community Advocacy Workshop

The Kelsey seeks to develop a solution for the disability housing crisis in the Bay Area that is financially sustainable, rooted in partnership, built for scale, and fully inclusive. It is envisioned to consist of mixed ability, mixed income housing communities where people of all abilities and backgrounds live, play, and serve together. The Kelsey team is working to unlock new capital for disability and affordable housing; leveraging existing public, private, and nonprofit partners; and creating housing models that are sustainable and replicable.

Lindsay Johnson, Director of Policy and Partnerships, extends this invitation: "Please join us for a free workshop: Designing for Inclusive Community. Facilitated by Tania Anaissie, a former designer from Stanford's d.school, participants will use design thinking to envision their ideal inclusive housing and cities. In the afternoon, participants will be able to 'test' and discuss their ideas with leading experts in housing, construction, and transit. We will provide breakfast and lunch. Please feel free to forward this invitation to anyone you think may be interested in attending and discussing affordable and inclusive housing and reach out to me at any time with your questions. We hope to see you there! Together we can do more."

Learn about Powered Clothing

The Avenidas Generations Lab is recruiting older adults to provide input to improve Seismic's line of powered clothing.

Seismic is an apparel company, located in Menlo Park, that seeks to transform people's relationship with clothing that enhances one's ability to move through life. Their goal is to shape human potential through a new integration of apparel and robotics called Powered Clothing™. Powered Clothing™ enables everyone - from older adults to athletes to people with a wide range of physical disabilities - to achieve their full mobility potential.

To learn more, schedule a one-hour appointment through Avenidas with Eric Gee by email or phoning him at 650/289-5409.

Older adults will be paid $25 to attend an initial orientation and selected individuals will be paid for each hour of future participation.

The initial orientation includes:

1. Watching a video that introduces Seismic and Powered Clothing™
2. Learning about enrollment opportunities for Seismic's user testing program
3. Be measured and fitted for a Seismic garment (selected individuals)

Ideal Powered Clothing™ users are those who:

• Experience difficulty with activities such as standing up from a seated position, climbing stairs, bending, etc
• Are active, engaged individuals
• Have a body mass index (BMI) less than 30