Research Paper Training older adults with low vision to use a computer tablet: A feasibility study Jennifer Kaldenberg 1 and Stacy Smallfield 2 Abstract Introduction: The purpose of this feasibility study was to investigate the potential use of a computer tablet as a low vision device to facilitate performance of and satisfaction with daily activities for older adults with low vision. Method: A repeated measures design was used to measure outcomes. Four older adult women with low vision completed 10 weekly sessions of group training in tablet use. The feasibility of this research method and intervention was examined by evaluating recruitment capability, data collection procedures, outcome measures, intervention procedures, resources, and pre- liminary responses to intervention. Results: The four participants were all women, with a mean age of 74.25 years (68–81). Visual acuity ranged from 20/160 to 20/4000. Mean change in performance and satisfaction on the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure were 3.45 and 3.65, respectively. Daily tablet use increased from 15 minutes at pretest to 3 hours at posttest to 4.5 hours at follow-up. Conclusion: Group training in computer tablet use for older adults with low vision shows promise to improve performance and satisfaction in a variety of daily activities. With appropriate resources, the research method is feasible for a larger study examining this community-based intervention for older adults with low vision. Keywords Low vision, older adults, assistive technology, computer tablet technology, internet Received: 8 January 2016; accepted: 30 March 2016 Introduction With the older adult population in the United States (USA) growing at the rate of 10,000 adults each day, more and more older adults are experiencing difficulty per- forming daily activities due to low vision (LV; McGrath and Rudman, 2013). These difficulties arise from age- related vision conditions including macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract, and diabetic retinopathy (McGrath and Rudman, 2013). Schiller et al. (2012) estimated that 12.2% of individuals aged 65–74 years and 15.2% of indi- viduals aged 75 years or older have low vision. The World Health Organization (2014) estimates that nearly 285 mil- lion people worldwide live with a visual impairment that affects daily life. Low vision significantly impairs the ability to participate in meaningful activities. As such, it is essential to use inter- ventions that maximize independence, satisfaction, safety, and quality of life for older adults with LV. Current LV rehabilitation practice emphasizes training in multiple task- specific devices and strategies such as optical and electronic magnification (Kaldenberg and Smallfield, 2013; Smallfield et al., 2013) rather than a single device that can serve mul- tiple purposes and adapt to declining vision, such as com- puter tablet (tablet) technology. Accessibility features in mobile technologies, such as a tablet, offer the user increased font size, improved contrast, and text to speech options, which allow older adults with LV many options for use as a multi-purpose device given their current visual status and potential future visual decline. An individual with LV uses on average 6.1 devices (Fok et al., 2011), many of these task-specific, such as a handheld magnifier for spot reading, a stand magnifier for leisure reading, and a talking watch. The average cost for aids and devices is $553 (Prevent Blindness America, 2013), which often is an out-of-pocket expense. Therefore, there is considerable cost associated with the procurement of appropriate technology for older adults with LV. Additionally, many researchers report a high rate of device abandonment, at rates of 16–19% (Dougherty et al., 2011; Fok et al., 2011; Mann et al., 2002). Reasons for device abandonment included device ineffectiveness, use of alternative devices, client preference, device defectiveness, change in visual status, lack of space, and inability to use the device (Dougherty et al., 2011). 1 Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Boston University College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston, USA 2 Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, USA Corresponding author: Jennifer Kaldenberg, Department of Occupational Therapy, Boston University College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Sargent College, 635 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA. Email: jenmk@bu.edu British Journal of Occupational Therapy 2017, Vol. 80(2) 117–122 ! The Author(s) 2016 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0308022616648172 journals.sagepub.com/home/bjo