Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 5:45 PM- Tuesday, May 13, 2025 6:15 PM
Location: RESNA 2025 @ RehabWeek Sheraton Downtown Riverside Chicago, IL
Lead/Instructor: Elena Remillard, Georgia Institute of Technology

Abstract: Technology can empower people aging with disability to overcome barriers where they live, work, and play, but a comprehensive understanding of user needs is essential to drive effective innovation. Remillard will highlight 10 years of foundational user needs research on people aging with disability from TechSAge RERC and introduce new target populations: individuals from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups (e.g., Black/African American, Asian American, Latino American, Native American) and those who are still in the workforce. We interviewed subject matter experts (SMEs) who have professional and/or personal experience engaging these populations (e.g., researchers, clinicians, and advocacy leaders). Umar will present SME findings about challenges and recommendations for engaging older adults with disabilities from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups in research. Nickrent will highlight SME insights about assessing the unique needs of older workers with disabilities.

Learning Outcomes: Describe effective strategies to engage older adults with disabilities from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups in research including recommendations for community outreach, recruitment/retention, and sharing findings back with the community. Identify the scope of activity support needs for older workers with disabilities (e.g., acquiring and maintaining positions, environmental accessibility, workplace accommodations, trainings, discrimination, benefits)