A Framework for Digital Inclusion of Elderly People: DIEP

Information and communications technology (ICT) such as computers, smart phones and Internet are deeply changing and can improve the quality of life of elderly people helping them to stay independent. Many elderly people are enthusiastically learning and using these technologies. But many others encounter several difficulties with them, more precisely studying this situation as it emerges in some social centers in Italy. The aim of this paper is to: i) understand how elderly people are using ICT and what challenges they face, ii) investigate the barriers, problems and difficulties of use, and iii) identify solutions to help them using computers and other digital products. In order to reach these objectives, two different integrated methods have been used: in-depth interviews to elderly people and an open space technology (OST) to multidisciplinary experts were performed in two different steps. On the basis of the OST results, a framework was designed providing strategies and actions to involve better elderly people in using ICT.