Diversity in age: the challenges of reaching the ‘hard to reach'.

Older people are typically characterised as late adopters of new technology. In this paper we begin to explore the true diversity of digital engagement, extending our scope among older people to include those who are highly engaged, those who are not engaged, and those who are in transition as learners or giving up.
A critical element of our research approach is the active participation of older people, and we seek out settings that provide opportunities to widen participation, adapting our survey materials accordingly.
Our initial findings explore correlations of digital engagement through the use of selected technologies and activities compared with settings, age and gender.
This characterisation of diversity of older people is part of a larger study on autonomy and independence of older people through the use of digital technologies. In giving older people a voice to participate in research into future digital engagement we need to look for novel ways to ensure that different voices are represented.

Conference held on 19-20th May 2010 Oslo Norway.
Same paper subsequently presented at 'Research Elders Conference', Middlesex University, June 2010.