Innovation & Tech
App Helps Seniors Navigate City Services with Ease
A new mobile app, developed by local coders, connects Toronto seniors to health, transit, and social resources through voice interaction.
June 16, 2025 at 05:26 — By By Horizon Tribune Editorial Team
A new mobile app developed by Toronto-based engineers is helping seniors access city services with greater ease, using simple voice commands and intuitive navigation tailored to older users. The app, called CityConnect Senior, offers a centralized hub for health resources, transit updates, service booking, and emergency information.
Designed with input from local senior advocacy groups, the app uses large text, high-contrast graphics, and simplified menus to accommodate users with visual or motor impairments. It can read aloud page content and respond to basic spoken queries like 'nearest flu clinic' or 'schedule garbage pickup.'
Lead developer Martin Chow says the team focused on making the app accessible without requiring a steep learning curve. 'Many of our users don’t use smartphones the way younger generations do. We built this with that in mind — minimal swiping, no clutter, and fast access to essentials.'
CityConnect Senior integrates with the City of Toronto’s open data services, pulling real-time information about TTC disruptions, community center hours, and local health alerts. It also allows users to sign up for alerts, request snow removal assistance, or connect with support services for housing or food security.
The app emerged from a collaborative innovation challenge hosted by the city and George Brown College. Developers partnered with senior participants from several neighborhoods during testing, receiving real-time feedback on usability and utility.
User response has been overwhelmingly positive. “I’m not afraid of technology, but I don’t like apps that talk down to me,” said 76-year-old user Linda Alston from East York. “This one feels like it was made for me, not someone’s grandkid.”
City staff say they’ve already seen a decline in call center volume since the app’s soft launch. Plans are in place to expand it to include multilingual support and a caregiver dashboard for family members helping their elders manage appointments or medications.
Available now for both Android and iOS, CityConnect Senior is free to download and uses minimal data. The project’s success underscores the value of inclusive tech — proving that smart city tools can work for everyone, regardless of age or tech fluency.