Montreal Gazette - Malls adjust to their aging clientele

For people who have trouble walking, seeing, hearing or making themselves understood, a shopping mall can be a frustrating and even a terrifying place. For many, going to the mall is simply out of the question. But for researchers at the Centre de recherche inter-disciplinaire en réadaptation du Montréal (CRIR), a shopping mall is the perfect reallife laboratory in which to test all kinds of technologies and innovations designed for the physically and cognitively challenged.

"Things can change in the physical environment, but if these people don't feel welcome, not much will have really changed," said Kehayia, a neuro-linguist and associate professor at McGill University's School of Physical and Occupational Therapy.