Design
Guidelines & Strategies...
| Guidelines & Strategies < |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| > vision | > hearing | > touch | > movement |
Probe these sets of design guidelines and strategies* that accommodate changes in vision, hearing, touch, and movement...
...before making those important design decisions!
Aging: A Complex and Individual Process
The aging process is a complex series of post-maturational changes, which stem from several factors:
- The
problem of
distinguishing
between "normal" changes
and those which
are pathological
- The
fact that each
person ages
differently
and at his
or her own
time and pace
- The fact that different body systems within the same individual age at varying rates
No Two of Us Are Alike
As individuals, we may or may not experience a specific change at a specific chronological age. This means that one person who is chronologically "old" (65 years or more) might have "aged" lungs and a "young" heart, while another may have an "old" heart and "young" lungs. Thus, our senior population is best characterized by diversity—no two of us are alike.
The Transgenerational Response
These guidelines and strategies were developed from a 'transgenerational' perspective; that is, meeting the needs of an aging population should become an integral part of the goals of every design professional. The challenge is to develop transgenerational products and environments that will be embraced by the older population today—and will be usable by the rest of us, tomorrow.
Required Information
The information contained within each of these sections—vision, hearing, touch, and movement—has been condensed for easy search or reference. Consult them when questions about any of the following arise:
- Identifying
the major effects
of the aging
process on
vision, hearing,
touch, and
movement
- Designing
a product or
environment
for use by
several generational
groups
- Setting
design priorities
in relation
to expected
user abilities
- Evaluating
existing produces
and environments
to determine
their degree
of transgenerational accommodation
- Developing design guidelines and strategies to meet the intended users' age-range and abilites
Be Prepared
Those who are prepared through specialized knowledge and experience to serve the needs of a transgenerational population will be in a better position to contribute to a higher quality of life for all.
| Rationalizations can no longer excuse designs of products or environments that fail to attract and accommodate any segment of the population. |
*Information courtesy of Pirkl, J.J. and A.L. Babic. Guidelines and Strategies for Designing Transgenerational Products. Avton, MA: Copley Publishing Group, 1988. Suported, in part, by Grant number 90-AT-0182, from the Administration OIffice of Human Development Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC 20201, and the All-University Gerontology Center, Syracuse University.
