ABSTRACT
The Later Life Audio and Radio Co-operative (LLARC) is an England-wide network of older content creators, age-inclusive radio stations, third sector organisations, local authorities and academics working on ageing issues. The co-operative was established in 2019 as an outcome from a participatory action research project. Aiming to promote talk-based content created by older adults, the LLARC advocates for greater representation of older adults in broadcasting. This paper considers radio production as an approach to support civic participation in later life. Firstly, we present findings from a two-day radio festival for older adults at which the LLARC was launched. Drawing on discussions at the radio festival, we highlight three themes that underpin the LLARC's mission: 1) challenging ageist stereotypes;2) advocating for intergenerational cohesion;and 3) considering radio as a technology for community engagement. Secondly, based on observations, we report on the organisation's ongoing digital development and adaptation to remote digital production workflows in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss the potential of radio as a technology to involve older adults in citizen dialogue. Due to its combination of digital and non-digital elements, we conclude that radio production can be an accessible technology for older adults to engage with in order to have their voices heard more widely. Our work contributes to key debates at the intersection of technology use and community engagement in later life, suggesting a central role for audio and radio as accessible routes to support public debates and promote citizen dialogue in later life. © 2020 ACM.
ABSTRACT
Our workshop will concentrate on vulnerability of specific social groups due to various reasons, including COVID-19, and the potential for technology design to result in empowerment. We want to address issues of what new forms of vulnerabilities emerge and how we can design digital environments in a way that acknowledges vulnerability but also has the potential to empower people in ways that are meaningful for them. When planning the workshop, we will also reflect on social situations that can result in vulnerabilities for participants. Therefore, we will ensure that interested participants will experience low barriers to participation include a variety of people with different backgrounds and ensure that interaction happens based on equality principles and in an atmosphere of solidarity. Participants can exchange ideas and thoughts without worrying about being exposed to biased assumptions. The workshop will allow for non-hierarchical and cooperative discussion and collaboration through interactive online exercises, resulting in a collaboratively developed zine. Finally, the social sustainability of the workshop will be ensured through a website, mailing lists, joint publications and continuous contact. © 2021 Owner/Author.