Lauren Lee | March 3, 2025 - Atlanta, GA

There’s good news, and there’s…challenging news. 

The very, very good news is that people with disabilities are living longer than they ever have before. Because of advances in medical science, public health, and disability studies, those with disabilities can expect to have much longer lives than at any other point in history. 

The challenging news: there’s not enough information about how to help people with disabilities age well. 

Enter: the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technologies to Support Aging among People with Long-Term Disabilities (or RERC TechSAge to friends). 

“The center is focused on understanding the unique needs of older adults with long-term disabilities acquired in early to mid-life,” says Elena Remillard, Senior Research Scientist. “This user needs research is then driving the development of new supportive technologies. We go beyond addressing barriers with basic activities of daily living and aim to support people with a variety of activities they need and want to do.”

“We are the bridge between aging and disability research,” agrees Kara Mumma, another researcher working on TechSAge. “While a lot of research has been done in both fields, more work is needed at their intersection to better understand the unique needs of adults aging with disability. These folks have been living with disabilities for at least ten years, and are at risk of developing many other secondary health conditions. It’s important that we learn more about the challenges of individuals who acquired their disability earlier in life so we can support successful aging.”

TechSAge is a multidisciplinary collaboration between Georgia Tech (CIDI and the Institute for People and Technology), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Georgia State University, and Person in Design. Focusing on individuals with sensory and mobility disabilities, the RERC aims to meet the evolving needs of people with long-term disabilities where they live, work, and play by conducting advanced engineering research.

At CIDI, team members are focused on three projects including: User Needs research, Telewellness Technologies, and Training.

The researchers at TechSAge are creating a modern-day Library of Alexandria on the user needs of older adults with long term disabilities. Over the last 10 years, the team has conducted a large-scale mixed methods study exploring everyday support needs for a wide range of activities, from travelling and working to volunteering and cooking. In addition to exploring challenges, they also ask about the different strategies people have used to overcome some of their difficulties. Through this, the researchers gain insight into solutions they might never have considered themselves. 

With 360 participants who have completed surveys and in-depth interviews, there is a wealth of data yet to be explored. Yet, the researchers are now working on expanding the sample to an additional 180 participants from underrepresented groups to make sure that more backgrounds are represented to make an even more thorough dataset.

CIDI researchers have also been actively involved in the development of a Zoom-based ‘Tele Tai Chi’ program for older adults with mobility disabilities—which occurred at a very serendipitous point in time. In development well before the COVID-19 pandemic, the clinical trial of their program launched just as lockdowns began. 

Using the videoconferencing tools that were just becoming widespread, the program provided evidence-based Tai Chi exercises for small group classes of older adults with long term mobility disabilities. Participants joined the classes from the comfort of their homes, eliminating barriers such as transportation, inaccessible buildings, and exposure to COVID-19. 

This approach not only promoted physical health but also fostered social engagement, reducing the risk of isolation among participants. The participants created a social network outside the program, creating important bonds during a period of potential isolation. 

“One of the things I value so much about the work we’re doing is the social connectedness piece,” says Mumma. “There are a lot of poor health outcomes for people who are isolated. Among older adults, the connections they created with the Tai Chi program counteracted that at a really important time.”

Researchers are now working on getting it into community centers nationwide, expanding the reach and impact of the research. 

But of all the populations to study, why this one? 

According to Remillard, the big reason is that they are likely to experience some unique circumstances no one else does. 

“Not only are they managing a long-term disability, but they also have other age-related declines in vision, hearing, memory—normal things that are then compounded. They’re also at high risk for socioeconomic disadvantages.”

“One of the things I like about our work,” she continues, “is that while we’re focused on a very specific population, the end result has the potential to be impactful for a lot of people. What we’re finding is helpful for everyone! We’re designing things to be more flexible and accommodating. It’s just the principles of universal design!”

Remillard looks thoughtful. “Through my interactions with participants, I’ve met the most resilient people, with the most innovative technological strategies. It’s a privilege to share their stories, uncover their needs, and help inspire the design inclusive technologies.”

That’s the core of the work—using universal design to make the world a more helpful place for not only those with disabilities, but everyone else too. 

Are you a student interested in this work? Hundreds of students have engaged with the study at this point, and the team is always looking for more ways to involve students. If you are interested, email Elena Remillard by clicking the button below.