User-Centered Design-Wave of the Future, 2006 PLACE Conference

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The population is aging. The aging market segment is more than just increasing in number. They are changing. The “new old” have more money, are more educated and are more likely to complain about poor designs. The boomers are a generation that rallied for civil rights, women’s rights, the resignation of a president and the end of a war. They are accustomed to speaking out and to evoking a response. Astute companies will understand the ramifications of this demographic tidal wave, and begin to consider consumers with diverse ranges of ability through a process called universal design.