Aging Workforce and Accessible Technology—Introduction

The effects of America's aging workforce are expected to significantly impact business growth and productivity in the near future. The following resources detail the coming demographic shift and illustrate how accessible technology can equip employers to face the challenges posed by this demographic trend.

In this section:

• Shifting Workplace Demographics and Delayed Retirement
  Currently more than 69 million American workers are age 40 and older—48 percent of the total U.S. workforce.
• The Digital Workplace and the Information Worker
  As the U.S. has become an information-dependent society, technology has rapidly become a common fixture in the workplace.
• Physiological Changes of Aging and Disabilities
  Many of the 44.5 million aging information workers are beginning to experience age-related physiological changes. The likelihood of developing age-related impairments increases during middle age.
• Technology Solutions
  Computing and the Internet are potentially valuable yet underutilized resources for the aging workforce and people with impairments.
• Accessibility is Good Business
  By making a commitment to accessibility, companies can reap the benefit of productivity gains and the value of retaining knowledgeable workers.
• Implications for Business
  The proportion of older workers is growing, as is the importance of accessible and assistive technologies.