The GENIE workshop and their contribution to curricula for inclusive design

The GENIE (Gerontechnology Education Network In Europe) Thematic Network project was established to improve the quality of education in gerontechnology and to promote its acceptance across institutions of higher learning. A key component of the final GENIE meeting in Helsinki, August 2001, consisted of a number of Workshops spanning different age groups and disciplines. The purpose of these workshops was to provide an experimental and learning opportunity, enabling students to work together with older people to identify potential design solutions. The final outcome of the workshops was in the form of an idea for a new product, technology, service, system, or environment. Since the focus of the methodology used was to involve the user group of older persons in all stages of the design process: (i) obtaining information on a specific topic in relation to the users, (ii) identifying users’ requirements, (iii) translating them into realistic designs, (iv) discussing their utility and usability with the seniors, (v) refining the designs, and (vi) later assessing whether the needs are being met, these outcomes matched to the requirements of the seniors and resulted in valuable solutions for this user group. As an example of the methodology, the mobility theme will be treated. The paper will conclude with suggestions emerging from the workshop which can contribute to key knowledge and skills for curricula in inclusive design.