Digitalisation and Elderly Society – Universal Design as Detailed in Standards

The paper discusses the role of standards to achieve the objective of Universal Design, with the case of equal access for elderly people in the digital society. The concrete background is the launching of 4 standards regarding different aspects of the digital society at present and in the future, their consequences for elderly persons and persons with disabilities and how to ensure diversity and inclusion for all through Universal Design. Our hypothesis suggests that well-conceived standards, developed collaboratively by all stakeholders, including individuals with various functional disabilities, could be an essential tool in ensuring that Universal Design is an integral part of technological development.