Technologies to Support Aging among People with Long-Term Disabilities
TechSAge Talks: Developing a Wayfinding Support Robot
Meet Katie Driggs-Campbell—Her research in robotics and human-centric design converge in the Wayfinding Support Robot Project. Discover how her innovative approach aims to assist individuals with visual impairments, creating new pathways for inclusive navigation.
Featured Article
Using Technology to Support the Everyday Activities of People Aging with Long-Term Disabilities
A new TechSAge article published in the Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) Journal special issue on technology and aging highlights our center’s approach of user-centered technology R&D to address the unique challenges of aging with disability. The article spotlights three TechSAge projects that used commercially-available products as exemplars of user centered design for technology interventions: Telewellness Technologies, Monitoring and Managing Falls Among People Who Use Wheelchairs, and Voice-Activated Digital Assistants. These projects demonstrate the potential of technology to enhance social connection, wellness, safety, activity performance among people aging with disability. Read the full article by Laura Rice, Elena Remillard, Emma Lachs, Tracy Mitzner, Jon Sanford, and Wendy Rogers
Latest Publications
Technology Implications
Everyday Challenges for Individuals Aging With Vision Impairment: Technology Implications
Aging Trends
Understanding Wheelchair Use in Older Adults From the National Health and Aging Trends Study
Digital Assistants
Understanding the needs of older adults learning to use digital home assistants: A demonstration study
Staff Spotlight:Deana McDonagh, PhD
Deana McDonagh is a Professor of Industrial Design and Director of the (dis)Ability Design Studio at the Beckman Institute of Advanced Science and Technology at Illinois. She is an investigator focusing on empathic modeling through the pedagogy of discomfort, enabling participants to experience the challenges others with diverse abilities face in completing daily activities. This work aims to foster a deeper understanding of inclusivity in design among educators, students, and researchers. Deana helps lead TechSAge training activities and serves as the co-lead of our Outreach Core Fun fact: Deana is a proud Mancunian from Manchester, UK, a city founded circa 79 AD!
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TechSAge research is funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR Grant #90REGE0021 and #90REGE0006-01-00)
NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).