i3 - May/June 2019 - 48

Business

By Steve Ewell

CT R E P O RTS

ith nearly 20 percent of the U.S. population reporting a disability,
and that number expected to grow as the population becomes older,
there is a significant market aimed at people looking for products
to help them maintain their independence. Whether it's software or hardware, engaging people with disabilities and people across the age spectrum
allows for greater opportunities to draw in loyal customers for your products.
Engaging diverse populations
provides a range of benefits to the overall design
of products. People
with disabilities and
older adults are
underrepresented
and bring new ideas
and viewpoints to the
types of products that
can serve these groups.
Accessible technology
not only serves seniors and
people with disabilities, but also
the general public. We can experience
a temporary disability - whether it stems from
a simple broken bone or an illness - at any
time in our lives. Statistically, as we all age, we
are likely to experience some type of physical
and mental deterioration in vision, hearing,
mobility, or cognition. It's important to realize
these issues affect everyone, not just the highlighted groups.
Our report, Active Aging: Consumer
Perceptions and Attitudes, shows the U.S.
market for solutions provided by smart, connected devices is expected to grow from $9
billion in 2018 to nearly $30 billion in 2022.
The largest segment of this market will be
safety and smart living technologies, which
will triple in size during that time. AARP
research finds the spending of 50-plus year
old Americans amounts to $5.6 trillion and
supports nearly 90 million jobs. The
American Institutes for Research finds that
after-tax disposable income for working age
people with disabilities is about $490 billion. This data and our consumer report
show there is a viable market for consumer
48

MAY/JUNE 2019

technologies focused
on these two
demographics.
In our meetings at
CES and throughout the year we
have found great
interest by both
companies and
organizations working with the disability
and aging communities
to engage. If you are
interested in connecting
with these communities to help
design or test your products, contact me at
sewell@CTAFoundation.tech or 703-9077660. We can help connect you with groups
that can assist. To work with the Foundation
and other industry leaders, visit
CTAFoundation.tech.

Support the CTA Foundation

● Be recognized by the CTA Foundation at
CES 2020 and other events.
● Be highlighted on the CTA Foundation
website and in materials.
● Receive opportunities to engage in discussions about these technologies at CES and
other events.
● Receive opportunities to engage in special
research or service projects.
● Gain access to staff subject matter experts
and in the CTA Foundation network.
● Ensure your resources make a true difference to communities in need.
Support us at SupportCTAF.org. Follow
us on Twitter @CTAFoundation, Facebook
and LinkedIn.

2019
CTA Events
Digital Patriots Dinner
April 30
Washington, DC

CES on the Hill
May 1
Washington, DC

CTA Technology &
Standards Forum
May 13-16
San Francisco, CA

CES Asia
June 11-13
Shanghai, China

CEO Summit
June 23-26

Prague, Czech Republic

CES Unveiled Paris
October 22
Paris, France

CES Unveiled
Amsterdam
October 24

Amsterdam, Netherlands

CT Hall of Fame Dinner
November 6
New York, NY

CES Unveiled New York
November 7
New York, NY

CES Unveiled Las Vegas
January 6, 2020
Las Vegas, NV

CES®
January 7-10, 2020
Las Vegas, NV

CONTACT:
For more information
on CTA events,
call 703-907-7600
or visit CTA.tech.

I T I S I N N O VAT I O N

RTsubin/Getty Images

Engaging Diverse
Populations in Design

http://www.SupportCTAF.org http://www.twitter.com/CTAFoundation https://CTA.tech

i3 - May/June 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of i3 - May/June 2019