Universal Design - A Solution for Ageing Workforce in Digitalized Workplaces?

This study reviews the extent to which Universal Design of digitalized work tools is not only a useful, but a necessary principle to support inclusion in an ageing workforce. But Universal Design must be understood and implemented in a broader sense than "classic" adaptation. It includes areas like services, digitalization training and user interface between mainstream and assistive technologies. It makes requirements to an enterprise's management system and training policy, besides mainstream human resources policies. The paper goes through these requirements and concludes with the need to improve our understanding of the principle of Universal Design for it to be an efficient tool for inclusive workplaces: not only the digital work tools have to be accessible, but it must be combined with management policy, training and support.