[Chapter-delegates] Seniors and Technology

[Alfredo Calderon]

 If your goal is to obtain funding for a project that improves the user interfaces of devices such as Google Chromecast, Apple TV, or other smart TV platforms to make them more accessible to older adults, these are among the most relevant funders:
CTA Foundation⁠ (Consumer Technology Association Foundation) – Probably the best fit.
Funds projects that use consumer technology to improve the lives of older adults and people with disabilities.
Supports accessibility, digital inclusion, and age-friendly technology.
Has previously funded technology usability projects, assistive technologies, and digital engagement initiatives.  
RRF Foundation for Aging⁠
Supports technology that improves quality of life for older adults.
Especially interested in human-centered technology adoption, digital inclusion, and reducing isolation.
Prefers implementation and scaling of existing technologies rather than basic R&D.  
Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP⁠
While primarily an implementing nonprofit rather than a traditional grantmaker, OATS frequently partners on funded projects related to accessible technology, AI, and digital literacy for older adults.
An excellent potential partner for research or pilot projects.  
National Council on Aging (NCOA)
Periodically administers grant programs focused on digital literacy and technology adoption among older adults.
Funding often includes technology training, usability, and digital confidence initiatives.  
If your project is research-oriented

You may also consider federal agencies such as:

National Institute on Aging
National Science Foundation (particularly Human-Computer Interaction and Smart & Connected Health programs)
Administration for Community Living, which periodically funds aging technology and digital inclusion initiatives.  
Project framing that would be highly competitive

Rather than proposing simply to “improve Chromecast or Apple TV interfaces,” consider framing the work as:

Age-Friendly Smart TV Interface Initiative: Human-Centered Design for Accessible Streaming Platforms

Possible objectives include:

Simplifying navigation for older adults.
Reducing cognitive load.
Larger typography and higher-contrast interfaces.
Voice-first interaction.
Simplified remote control workflows.
Medication and appointment reminders integrated with TV.
Family communication features.
Accessibility testing with adults aged 65+.
Development of evidence-based interface design guidelines for smart TV platforms.
This framing aligns well with current priorities in AgeTech, digital inclusion, and human-centered design, making it attractive to organizations such as the CTA Foundation and the RRF Foundation for Aging.

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Could this be helpful.

Concept Note: Senior-Friendly Streaming Access Initiative

Project Title
Senior-Friendly Streaming Access Initiative: Simplifying Smart TV and Streaming Device Use for Older Adults

Applicant Concept
This concept proposes a community-based program that helps older adults use mainstream streaming devices and smart TV interfaces more independently through simplified setup, personalized coaching, accessibility adjustments, and caregiver support. The project is designed for a nonprofit applicant seeking CTA Foundation support for a practical technology-access initiative that improves the lives of seniors through consumer technology.[1]

Need
Many older adults can benefit from connected TV platforms for communication, entertainment, information, and lifelong learning, but device interfaces are often difficult to navigate because they rely on small text, complex menus, multi-step workflows, and remote-control conventions that can be confusing for users with age-related vision, memory, or dexterity challenges. The CTA Foundation states that it funds programs that improve the lives of seniors and people with disabilities, and this concept directly addresses that mission by focusing on accessible use of widely adopted consumer technologies rather than requiring older adults to adopt unfamiliar specialty devices.[2][3][1]

Project Goal
The goal is to increase digital inclusion, confidence, and independent media access for older adults by making devices such as Google Chromecast, Apple TV, and smart TV platforms easier to use in everyday life. The project would combine human support with accessibility-oriented configuration so that seniors can more easily reach preferred content, communicate with family, and use streaming technology with less frustration and less reliance on caregivers.[1][2]

Proposed Activities
The program would provide:

- Individual device setup for older adults, including accessibility settings, simplified home-screen organization, remote pairing, and content shortcuts tailored to each participant’s needs.
- One-on-one and small-group coaching sessions focused on core tasks such as turning the device on and off, opening favorite apps, returning to the home screen, adjusting volume, using voice features, and recovering from common navigation mistakes.
- Printed and large-format quick guides using plain language and visual cues for repeat use at home.
- Caregiver and family orientation so that support persons can reinforce the simplified workflows and avoid unintentionally making interfaces more complex.
- A light-touch feedback process that documents which interface barriers create the most difficulty for older adults and which accessibility adjustments most improve successful use.[3][2][1]

Target Population
The primary beneficiaries are older adults, especially those with limited digital confidence, mild cognitive or memory-related challenges, low vision, or reduced dexterity. Secondary beneficiaries include family caregivers and community organizations that support aging populations and need practical methods to improve technology access through mainstream consumer devices.[2][1]

 Expected Outcomes
Over the grant period, the project is expected to:

- Improve participant confidence in using streaming devices independently.
- Increase successful completion of common tasks such as opening apps, selecting content, and returning to familiar screens.
- Reduce frustration associated with device navigation and setup.
- Strengthen caregiver capacity to support older adults without taking over routine use.
- Generate practical lessons on senior-friendly interface adjustments that can inform future community technology programs.[3][1][2]

Alignment with CTA Foundation
This concept aligns well with the CTA Foundation because the Foundation’s grants support programs that improve the lives of seniors and people with disabilities through consumer technology. It also reflects the Foundation’s pattern of supporting hands-on, mission-driven projects involving digital access, training, voice technologies, tablets, and other practical tools that help older adults engage more fully in daily life.[1]

Evaluation Approach
Project evaluation would use simple pre- and post-participation measures such as self-reported confidence, task-completion checks for a small set of common device actions, caregiver observations, and participant feedback on barriers and usability. This approach would produce credible evidence of impact while remaining feasible for a community-based grant implementation model.[2][1]

Sustainability
After the pilot phase, the program could be sustained through partnerships with senior centers, libraries, faith-based organizations, digital inclusion programs, and local aging-service providers. The training materials, setup protocols, and usability lessons could also be reused and adapted for other consumer devices, extending the value of the initial CTA Foundation investment.[1]

Funding Use
CTA Foundation support would be used for staff or trainer time, participant outreach, accessibility-oriented printed materials, device demonstration kits, travel for community-based support, and basic evaluation activities. The request would support direct service delivery and practical implementation rather than pure research, making it suitable for a philanthropic technology-access initiative.[1]

Sources
[1] Foundation Grants - Consumer Technology Association (CTA) https://www.cta.tech/cta-foundation/foundation-grants/
[2] Optimizing tech for older adults https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/07/tech-older-adults
[3] Designing Streaming Experiences for Seniors https://www.streamingmedia.com/Articles/Columns/The-Video-Doctor/Designing-Streaming-Experiences-for-Seniors-167667.aspx

Alfredo Calderon
Email: calderon.alfredo at gmail.com
Twitter: acalderon52
LinkedIn: pr.linkedin.com/in/acalderon52
Skype: alfredo_1212
Business Card: http://myonepage.com/acalderon
Blog: https://aprendizajedistancia.blogspot.com
VSIG: Virtual School on Internet Governance - https://virtualsig.org

> On Jul 1, 2026, at 12:49 PM, Alejandro Lengua via Chapter-delegates <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org> wrote:
> fund that promotes improving the interfaces of devices such as Google Chromecast or Apple TV to make them more elderly-friendly.
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