Stimulating user-driven interdisciplinary co-development and adaptation of innovative technologies for populations with communication disorders.

The population is rapidly ageing worldwide. In 2030, 23% of Canadians will be 65 years or older, a demographic shift accompanied by an increase in age-related health problems bringing about social challenges requiring innovative solutions. AI driven technologies are presented as promising avenues both for individualized health monitoring and self-management and to facilitate social participation of older individuals. To ensure ethics, usability and relevance of new technologies, involvement of target users in the early design stages are encouraged as best practice. However, involving older adults responsibly and efficiently in co-development projects has proved challenging, even more so if they have a neurological disorder. Therefore, our project aims at stimulating research in partnership with older adults with communication disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. It is organized around the adaptation of an in-ear technology and is run in partnership with a community partner, Parkinson-Québec, an industrial partner, EERS, and a non-for-profit startup, Vocavie.

Faculty Supervisor:

Ingrid Verduyckt;Rachel Bouserhal;Rachel Bouserhal;Ingrid Verduyckt

Student:

Partner:

Parkinson Québec;EERS Global Technologies Inc;Vocavie

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Manufacturing; Other services (except public administration); Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

École de technologie supérieure; Université de Montréal

Program:

Accelerate