Technology

New AARP Research Shows Positive Shift in Online Images of Older Adults, While Highlighting Need for Further Improvement

Published

6 hours ago

September 24, 2024

An Analysis Comparing Images From 2018 to 2023 Reveals the Strengths and Limitations in How Aging Is Portrayed in Media and Marketing

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A new AARP study reveals a positive shift over the past five years in how adults 50-plus are portrayed online. Overall, negative sentiment in online media and marketing images dropped from 28% in 2018 to just 10% in 2023.

The 50-plus population is pictured as more active and independent, less fearful, and more likely to use technology, reflecting a growing recognition of older adults’ active lifestyles and valuable engagement in society.

At the same time, challenges remain. Images of adults age 50-plus in the workplace remained unrealistically rare, while depictions of this age group spending time with family actually fell over the past five years.

“At AARP, we have been leading the fight to combat ageism in marketing and media imagery, and it looks like the creative industry is starting to really listen,” said AARP Chief Communications and Marketing Officer Martha Boudreau. “As the old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. In the age of social media, and with the ubiquity of advertising across people’s daily lives, this is more true than ever. The images we see shape what we think and can even influence how we act towards one another. Progress has been made in improving how 50-plus adults are portrayed but we still have a lot of work to do. Studies like these point the way forward and give us a solid roadmap for how to continue to make things better.”

The study analyzed a random sample of over 1,000 online images and 500 videos featuring adults 50-plus from brands and thought leaders posted on news sites and social media with at least two million followers or readers. Political content was excluded.

Positive improvements include:

Aging is more active than before: The portrayal has moved from fear-based, with an emphasis on financial and medical themes, to active and healthy lifestyles. With 26% of people 50-plus shown in images as physically active, up from 15% in 2018, the narrative around aging is shifting from decline to vitality.Tech users of every age: The research shows a dramatic increase in depictions of adults 50-plus using technology. In 2023, 33% of images showed people 50-plus with tech devices, up from a mere 4% in 2018. This shift better reflects this age cohort, challenging outdated stereotypes and highlighting the reality of digital engagement.Aging in place: Nearly 80% of adults 50-plus want to remain in their communities and homes as they age, and this trend has been more prominently reflected in media in recent years, with 73% of static images showing people at home vs. 39% in 2018. Just 8% of static images showed people in a retirement community compared to 15% in 2018. It’s a sign that retirement centers are less likely to be the visual shorthand for aging, with images elevating independence over medical worries or reliance on assistance.

Opportunities for further improvement include:

Older adults in the workplace: Despite making up over one-third of the workforce, only 14% of images show adults 50-plus at work, virtually unchanged from 13% in 2018. This underrepresentation misses both on what people 50-plus are adding to the economy and what long, satisfying careers are adding to their lives.Mobility challenges: AARP’s Media Landscape Review highlights a significant gap in representing mobility challenges among adults 50-plus. Only 1% of images show consumers with mobility aids, despite 12% of adults 50-plus regularly using a mobility device for assistance walking or navigating stairs. Multi-generational families: There was a significant decline compared to 2018 in people 50-plus shown in a family situation (17% to 9%) or with their grandchildren (13% to 6%), suggesting a major opportunity to more accurately reflect an important source of joy and meaning for many over 50. This shift suggests a need for the media to better represent important family roles and relationships, as these connections become more significant with age.

The research tracked still images and video content, with video proving to be more successful at showing adults 50-plus interacting with others, outside the home and using technology.

Learn more about this study at AARP.org/50plusmedia.

About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation’s largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.

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SOURCE AARP

Technology

Uploadcare Unveils New File Uploading Widget, Uploadcare File Uploader v1

Published

58 mins ago

September 24, 2024

Uploadcare’s Latest Innovation Offers Developers a Seamless, Secure and Scalable Solution for Integrating File Uploads Into Any Project

BOSTON, Sept. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Today, Uploadcare, a leading file management platform and content delivery network, announced the launch of Uploadcare File Uploader v1. Designed to meet the needs of developers building websites and SaaS applications with modern web tools, the file uploading widget provides an efficient and reliable way to integrate scalable and secure file uploads into any project.

“At Uploadcare, we understand that developers need a turnkey file-uploading solution to focus on what matters most: building great products,” said Igor Debatur, CEO of Uploadcare.

Uploadcare File Uploader sets itself apart with a range of key benefits to streamline the development process and enhance the end-user experience:

Easy Integration & Hassle-Free Maintenance: Quickly integrate into any tech stack with the plug-and-play solution that provides code snippets and instructions and ensures stable uploads without ongoing maintenance.Robust Security: Automatically detect inappropriate content and infected files, upholding regulatory compliance and brand integrity. Prevent unauthorized file uploads with signed uploads.Multiple Upload Sources: Support file uploads from up to 14 sources, including popular platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, Instagram, and more.Built-in Image Editor: Empower users to edit images before upload, including options like cropping, resizing and applying filters.Advanced Accessibility: Maximize customer reach by adopting the interface with out-of-the-box A11Y accessibility options.

“At Uploadcare, we understand that developers need a turnkey file-uploading solution to focus on what matters most: building great products,” said Igor Debatur, CEO of Uploadcare. “Our new file uploader not only speeds up time-to-market but also eliminates the headaches associated with maintaining and securing file uploads, allowing developers to concentrate on their core product.”

To learn more about the latest features of the Uploadcare File Uploader, register for a live webinar on Oct. 10 at 11 a.m. EDT / 5 p.m. CET. Attendees can view a live demonstration, have their questions answered and will automatically be entered in a raffle for a Keychron Q3 Max mechanical keyboard.

For an Uploadcare File Uploader 14-day free trial, visit uploadcare.com/uploader1. To learn about Uploadcare’s offerings, visit uploadcare.com.

About Uploadcare

Uploadcare is a leading file management platform and content delivery network, enabling developers around the world to upload, manage, process, render, optimize and deliver digital content for applications and websites via a powerful suite of APIs. The developer-oriented platform was founded in 2011 by tech enthusiasts experienced in web development and image processing that encountered problems with uploading and file management, who decided to create an all-in-one solution that worked at scale. 13 years later, Uploadcare has grown rapidly, garnering clients like PandaDoc, Buffer, UserTesting, Zapier and more. To learn more about Uploadcare, visit uploadcare.com.

Media Contact

Lilly Carrion, Uploadcare, 1 9546008860, lilly@palmerpublic.com, https://uploadcare.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/uploadcare-unveils-new-file-uploading-widget-uploadcare-file-uploader-v1-302257216.html

SOURCE Uploadcare

Technology

Washington Tech Workforce Coalition Forms to Meet the Need for Diverse, Highly Skilled Candidates for In-Demand Tech Jobs

Published

58 mins ago

September 24, 2024

Industry leaders, educators and community organizations invited to join this important initiative

SEATTLE, Sept. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Washington Tech Workforce Coalition (WTWC) proudly announces its launch, marking a significant step toward addressing the growing demand for technology roles across multiple industries. The Coalition will hold its first convening on Oct. 29, 2024 from 2-7pm at the AWS Skills Center in Seattle.

The Coalition focuses on creating opportunities for underserved and underrepresented populations while fostering a collaborative space where industry leaders, educators, training partners, community partners, and government agencies work together to meet workforce demands and facilitate job placements. The Coalition’s new website, watechcoalition.org, is the hub of this network where partners can join the Coalition, sign up for committees, read updates, find best practices and track outcomes.

Vision
The Washington Tech Workforce Coalition envisions an enduring ecosystem designed to bridge workforce gaps and advance workers’ skills in Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, IT & Cloud Computing, and Software Development.

Key responsibilities include:

Developing a talent pipeline responsive to industry needs.Closing the skills gap by creating technical and professional skills development programs.Connecting high-quality candidates with internships and full-time jobs to meet employer needs.Building relationships and credibility with workforce system stakeholders.

The Coalition is supported by industry experts AWS and Accenture, led by Computing for All, in collaboration with the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA), and committed employers throughout Washington State. These members form the core of the Industry Advisory Committee.

Coalition Partners
The Washington Tech Workforce Coalition includes a network of fourteen placement providers and subrecipients that will help launch 1,000 careers in technology roles by October 2025.

Placement Providers will offer various services, including community and employer engagement, candidate training, support, and job placement. Placement Providers include Ada Developers Academy, CodeDay, Per Scholas, PNW Cyber Challenge Games, Riipen and North Seattle College, Saint Martin’s University (Washington Vets2Tech), and Year Up.

These placement providers join the Coalition’s subrecipients (below) involved in strategic efforts to develop outreach and alignment with underserved communities, education, and employers. Subrecipients include Career Connect Southwest STEM Regional Network, Center of Excellence for Information & Computing Technology (COEICT), Evergreen Goodwill, King Pierce Regional Network / Washington Alliance for Better Schools (WABS), North Central Regional Network, Seattle Jobs Initiative (SJI), and Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA).

Collectively, these grant partners build and expand training programs and job placement pipelines across the state.

Structure
Initial funding for the Coalition is from the US Department of Commerce Good Jobs Challenge grant. Implementation is through the Washington Jobs Initiative managed by Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC). Computing for All, a 501(c)(3) technology education nonprofit organization manages the Coalition, building alignment among community, education, and industry partners to align training and job opportunities while uniting and lifting our local economies.  
The launch of the Coalition underscores all the members’ dedication to leveraging resources, applying best practices, and fostering a shared vision for talent development in technology.

For more information on the Coalition and to learn how to get involved, visit watechcoalition.org.

CONTACT: press@watechcoalition.org

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/washington-tech-workforce-coalition-forms-to-meet-the-need-for-diverse-highly-skilled-candidates-for-in-demand-tech-jobs-302257526.html

SOURCE Computing for All

Technology

WCG Improves Clinical Trial Adjudication with Enhanced AIMS Solution

Published

58 mins ago

September 24, 2024

PRINCETON, N.J., Sept. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — WCG, the global leader in providing solutions that measurably improve and accelerate clinical research, is excited to announce the latest advancement in the WCG ClinSphere™ platform with the addition of an interactive adjudication model in its Adjudication Information Management System (AIMS®) solution. Specifically designed to simplify and streamline the adjudication process for clinical trials, AIMS improves efficiency, compliance, and data accuracy.

The new interactive adjudication model feature allows adjudication committee members to review all relevant clinical data for a subject within a single interactive screen, making review of lengthy subject data listings a thing of the past. Initially developed for use for adjudication within complex multiple myeloma trials, this application is now optimized for use across any therapeutic area and trial design. It is poised to become the new industry standard for clinical trial adjudication, addressing the growing complexity and volume of trials requiring expert adjudication.

“We are thrilled to offer a solution that not only improves operational efficiency but also ensures accuracy and compliance for clinical trial adjudication,” said Mark McDonald, president, Review Solutions at WCG. “AIMS empowers clinical teams to navigate the adjudication process with ease, allowing for faster decision-making and better trial outcomes.”

Key Features of the Enhancements to WCG’s AIMS Solution:

Interactive Data Review (IDR): A new user interface providing an interactive and intuitive view of clinical trial data across a subject, including automatic data change flags, resulting in increased clarity for adjudicators.

Multi-Record Per Case Adjudication: Review multiple records or data points simultaneously to streamline decision-making and reduce human error.

Real-Time Reporting and Insights: Access real-time reports, ensuring up-to-date adjudication oversight and informed decision-making.

21 CFR Part 11 Compliance: Ensure regulatory compliance with a comprehensive audit trail and built-in validation.

Built-In DICOM Imaging Viewer & Redaction Tools: Facilitate secure and efficient review of medical images and sensitive trial data.

“We recognize the unique challenges sponsors face to meet the adjudication needs of increasingly complex clinical trials,” added McDonald. “AIMS enhances not only the quality of adjudication but also the satisfaction of all stakeholders involved in the trial process.”

To learn more about AIMS, visit https://www.wcgclinical.com/technologies/aims/.

About WCG

WCG is a global leader of solutions that measurably improve and accelerate clinical research. Biopharmaceutical and medical device companies, contract research organizations (CROs), research institutions, and sites partner with us for our unmatched expertise, data intelligence, and purpose-built technology to make informed decisions and optimize study outcomes, while maintaining the highest standards of human participant protection. WCG raises the bar by pioneering new concepts, reimagining processes, fostering compliance and safety, and empowering those who perform clinical trials to accelerate the delivery of medical therapies and devices that improve lives. For more information, please visit wcgclinical.com or follow us on LinkedIn or X @WCGClinical.

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SOURCE WCG