[games_access] Solid statistics for GDC 2006 from OECD(Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)

[Barrie Ellis]

I think the important thing about the ageing statistics is that they do tie 
up with an increased need for accessibility features. As a general rule, 
when people get older, any mix of sight, hearing, memory and reactions can 
reasonably be expected to deterioate. Also, if the number of gamers playing 
in later life is increasing (it's my understanding that this is the case) 
then there will be an increased need for accessibility features.

This is to give further strength to the cause of all disabled gamers, giving 
some indication of the weight of numbers in one area. Does this seem fair, 
David? Interested in your thoughts.

Barrie
www.OneSwitch.org.uk









----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Colven" <colven at ace-centre.org.uk>
To: "IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List" <games_access at igda.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 9:17 AM
Subject: Re: [games_access] Solid statistics for GDC 2006 from 
OECD(Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)


> What you have to keep in mind is that aging is not the same as morbidity, 
> and that aging does not equal disability.  I always had that problem with 
> the EU research funding area for Aging and Disability.  The problem is 
> having a disability caused by age (sight and  hearing being the main ones 
> as I well know!!) not the fact that one is a particular age.
>
> Although the population age is increasing, morbidity - the time people 
> spend being ill or disabled because of their age - is not.  However, there 
> is an in-build expectation in society that if you are old then you can't 
> cope with technology and must be getting GaGa, which needs to be 
> challenged.  We do it to ourselves (e.g. I'm getting old therefore I keep 
> forgetting things - despite the fact that everyone forgets things).
>
> A lot of the problems with technology and older people is historic.  Some 
> research in the EU has shown, (no reference but I expect I could find one) 
> that older people in Sweden can cope with technology whereas those in 
> Portugal cannot (on average).  Its simply that those in Portugal have far 
> less experience of technology and expect not to be able to use it and lack 
> the confidence.
>
> Thioght I'd get that off my chest!  What was the question?
>
> David
>
> At 22:51 24/01/06, you wrote:
>>http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/61/50/34600619.pdf
>>
>>"Ageing Populations : High Time for Action
>>
>>1. Ageing : the challenges ahead
>>
>>Population ageing is gathering momentum
>>
>>
>>
>>It would be good to tie this up with some stats around how many older 
>>people are using I.T. now.
>>
>>Barrie
>>www.OneSwitch.org.uk
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>
>
> David Colven, Technical Advisor
>
> The ACE Centre Advisory Trust
> 92 Windmill Road
> Headington
> Oxford      OX3 7DR
>
> Web site at www.ace-centre.org.uk something new every week Tel +44 (0)1865 
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>
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