The Elder Interface
Misericordia Assistive Technology Research Institute

Many older adults would like to be able to use computers, but find them
difficult and confusing. Some of the difficulty in using computers lies in
lack of experience with the fundamental concepts of computer technology. This
project does not address the training of elders to use computers. 

A very large part of the difficulty older adults have with computer derives
from the design of the computer interface. The design and behavior of the
computer interface is based on the needs of young adults using monitors with
much lower resolution than modern computers display. As a result of the
changes associated with normal aging, the modern computer interface can be
difficult or impossible to use for an elder, even in the absence of any
disease or condition which affect physical performance. 

The Elder Interface Project is intended to address the these issues. The
linked pages provide detailed changes on free and low-cost changes to the
Windows interface that will make computer use easier for typical aging
adults.  

http://atri.misericordia.edu/ATResearch/ElderInterface/index.php

---

The results of our current project:, "The Elder Interface: Making The
Computer More Accessible to Elders," is now available online. 

Even if you are not working with elders, but are working in computer access,
you will probably find that some of the changes described in the Elder
Interface are helpful for your clients.  

I look forward to your feedback on this effort.

Denis Anson, MS, OTR
Director of Research and Development
Assistive Technology Research Institute
College Misericordia
301 Lake St.
Dallas, PA  18612
570/674-6413
570/674-8054 fax
danson@misericordia.edu