Seeking ID Techiques to Use with an Aging Workforce

As instructional designers we need to consider the aging workforce population and the accessibility of the material we create.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 53 percent of the U.S. workforce will be 40 years old or older by 2010.[1] It is also predicted that this percentage will continue if not increase into the coming years. Necessity will force us consider the various accessibility needs that will arise from an aging workforce and how computer use might be affected by these disabilities.

One issue however is that the very definition of disability can be confusing and in-depth depending on the model of thought one chooses. The United Nations uses “The term persons with disabilities to apply to all persons with disabilities including those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various attitudinal and environmental barriers, hinders their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.”[2] As we become and more socially conscious society we also become more sensitive to these issues. Keeping this workforce population dynamic in mind, we as instructional designers will need to place our efforts to accommodate these needs.

Another thought that often comes out when speaking about the Boomers generation is that they are afraid to use the computer. If this is indeed a real fact can this fear be used as an accessibility issue? Could we as instructional designers instead focus in on the primary internet uses of users in this age category and use this as a means to entice others in the same range to be less fearful.

I'm curious to hear about any tips, tricks, techniques you may have when considering teaching/educating an aging workforce population. Have you run into "computer fear"? Have you found ways to over come this fear?

[1] U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Projected Labor Force Data: Civilian Labor Force, 2006-2016 [Data file].
Retrieved from ftp://ftp.bls.gov/pub/special.requests/ep/labor.force/clfa0616.txt

[2] United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division for Social Policy and Development (2008). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved June 22, 2008, from United Nations, EnableWeb site: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/faqs.htm