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The universal impact of Large Scale Engineering (LSE) projects is in evidence in diverse aspects of the personal and working lives of citizens around the globe. This does not only include the direct impact of the LSE product or facility but also encompasses the effects on society resulting from new ways of working. These new ways of working have been visualized by the eLSEwise (European Large Scale Engineering Wide Integration Support Effort) project as part of its postulated vision of how LSE construction projects may be delivered in the future, fully utilizing the benefits of emergent information and communication technologies to satisfy the business needs. This paper describes different effects on society resulting from LSE construction products and processes based on the eLSEwise vision and provides recommendations for ensuring that the benefits to society can be achieved.

The term ‘digital assistive technology' refers to the use of ICTs for the support of older people's everyday tasks. These tasks could range from online shopping to information seeking and searching the web in a variety of ways eg. by the use of desktop or ubiquitous computing. Currently, research under the New Dynamics of Ageing Programme, funded by the ESRC, EPSRC, BBSRC, MRC and AHRC, and research funded by other bodies, including SPARC, tries to improve older people's quality of life through the exploitation and exploration of new developments in computing and information technology. However, the acceptance rate of digital assistive technology by older people is still low, while the abandonment of already existing technologies increases. The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for process requirements to inform the decision‐making of designers and implementers of digital assistive technologies. These process requirements should facilitate the development of more adaptable user‐centred systems that can dynamically accommodate the changing needs of older people and decrease the rate of abandonment of digital assistive technologies.

This paper reports the findings of a literature review conducted to investigate user responses to assisted living technologies (ALTs), principally telehealth and telecare applications. A combination of search terms identified approximately 75 relevant publications, including reports of studies in the US, Australia, Europe and the UK. The documents were analysed to extract data relating to end‐user needs, what attracts end users and informal carers to telehealth/telecare services, and what deters them from adopting these technologies. Some key challenges arising for the uptake and adoption of ALTs are then discussed, and significant user requirements emerging from the evidence are identified. The paper concludes with suggestions for the next steps to be taken to promote effective and appropriate use of ALTs.

There is recognition that digital ICTs have the potential to support older people to live independently, to “age well”, to promote social inclusion and to facilitate access to commercial and government services. Research conducted by the Sus‐IT project under the “New Dynamics of Ageing” Programme has focused on how to help older ICT users to remain digitally engaged given the barriers that they can face and which can quickly erode their confidence or capability. Access to appropriate learning and support resources is a key issue for sustaining older ICT users. The aim of this paper is to investigate older people's ICT learning and support needs.

Older people themselves have been central to the research; more than 1,000 older people have participated in this research through open workshops, established formal and informal panels and groups across the UK, and through contacts with a number of organisations working with older people. Key research users (e.g. organisations representing older people and those providing services and products to be used by older people) have also collaborated in the research in a variety of roles.

Findings show that older people value very highly the benefits and independence that computer use gives them, and they are often exceptionally tenacious in trying to remain digitally connected – persisting in the face of many obstacles, and often without awareness or use of existing aids to accessibility. If disengagement begins, it is usually a gradual process, rather than a single event, and likely to result from a combination of factors – changes in physical and cognitive abilities, in support, in technology and in personal circumstances. The availability of help and support emerges as a factor of paramount importance to sustaining digital connection.

The conceptual model of the risks of sustaining digital engagement of older people arising from the research has significant implications for both policy and practice – for instance, in relation to “digital by default”. A user‐generated strategy for provision of sustainable, community‐based ICT learning and support for older people is a key output from Sus‐IT.

The issues surrounding sustaining digital inclusion in older age are multi‐faceted and complex – and addressing these will have significant benefits not only for older people but also for the economy and society.

This editorial brings to an end a branded series of articles on the outputs of research concerned with improving the quality of life of older and disabled people. The growing significance of the subject matter addressed throughout this series is illustrated and discussed. As a consequence of the series, it has been realised that papers on topics that previously would have been considered peripheral to the interests of the readership of JIC are now recognised as significant for good health and well‐being.