The current state of software which targets older adults’ ability to use computers focuses on physical issues while largely ignoring the cognitive issues. As a larger percentage of Americans are considered “old” (60+), the lack of a system tailored to the needs of this age demographic has resulted in a part of the population that is disconnected from the rest of the world. This paper describes WISE, an alternative OS and application UI that specifically targets the cognitive deficits of older adults. Categories and Subject Descriptors H5.2. User Interfaces, K4.2 Assistive technologies for persons with disabilities General Terms Design, Human Factors Keywords Accessibility, Age-Related Challenges, Effective Cognitive Strategy Prompting, Gerontology, Linear Interaction, UserCentered Design
Joshua M. Hailpern