Design for the elderly: user-based evaluation studies involving elderly users with special needs

Abstract

Although a considerable amount is known about the ageing process, very little is known about the consumer needs of elderly people with special needs. On the whole a large proportion make do with ‘ordinary’ products to the best of their ability. The Special Needs Research Unit's extensive experience of evaluating such products highlights the fact the access to domestic appliances can be enhanced if attention is paid to basic human factors issues at the drawing-board stage. For manufacturers it is potentially the most effective means of enlarging their markets. A user-based evaluation strategy is described centring on two well-known products. It is suggested that paying attention to specific features in the early stages of design would result in better products for all.