 |
 |
| |
Changes in vision that occur with age can make it more difficult to read a computer screen. These include reductions in the amount of light that reaches the retina, loss of contrast sensitivity, and loss of the ability to detect fine details.1 Following the guidelines will improve readability of online text.2
| |
 |  | |
 |
Use a sans serif typeface, such as Helvetica, that is not condensed. Avoid the use of serif, novelty, and display typefaces. | |
| | | |
| | Sans Serif: | Helvetica
Arial
Univers
News Gothic
| |
| | Serif: | Times New Roman | |
| | Novelty: | Old English Text | |
| | Display: | Bodoni Poster | |
| | | |
|  | |
|
Use 12 point or 14 point type size for body text. | |
| | | |
| | 12 point: | The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog. | |
| | | |
| | 14 point: | The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog. | |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Use medium or bold face type.
Helvetica Medium
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Helvetica Bold
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
| |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Present body text in upper and lowercase letters. Use all capital letters and italics in headlines only. Reserve underlining for links.
| |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Double space all body text.
| |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
There are three ways to justify type: left, full, or center justified. Left justified text is optimal for older adults.
| |
| |
| |
| | This is an example of left justification.
Left justification allows an even left margin and an uneven right margin. This is an example of left justification. Left justification allows an even left margin and an uneven right margin. This is an example of left justification.
This is an example of full justification.
Full justification refers to text lines that are spaced so that the margins on either side are equal. This is an example of full justification. Full justification refers to text lines that are spaced so that the margins on either side are equal. This is an example of full justification.
This is an example of center justification.
Center justification balances text around a central axis. This is an example of center justification. Center justification balances text around a central axis. This is an example of center justification.
| |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Avoid yellow and blue and green in close prox-imity. These colors and juxtapositions are difficult for some older adults to discriminate. Ensure that text and graphics are understandable when viewed on a black and white monitor.
| |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Use dark type or graphics against a light background, or white lettering on a black or dark colored background. Avoid patterned backgrounds.
| |
| |
| |
|
 |
| |
Research shows that the ability to perform some mental operations decreases with age. These operations include the ability to simultaneously remember and process new information, to perform complex cognitive tasks, and to comprehend text.1 Although these changes are not usually dramatic, their presence can interfere with the performance of some daily tasks such as using a computer.2
Older adults also process information more slowly than younger adults. There are effective ways to present text to mediate these age-related changes.2
| |
| |
| |
 |  | |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Present information in a clear and familiar way to reduce the number of inferences that must be made. Use positive statements.
| |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Use the active voice.
| |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Write the text in simple language. Provide an online glossary of technical terms.
| |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Organize the content in a standard format. Break lengthy documents into short sections. | |
| |
| |
|
 |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Use text-relevant images only. | |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Use short segments to reduce download time on older computers. | |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Provide text alternatives such as open-captioning or access to a static version of the text for all animation, video, and audio. | |
| |
| |
|
 |
| |
Also consider these navigational features when designing a web site for older adults.1
| |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
The organization of the web site should be simple and straightforward. Use explicit step-by-step navigation procedures whenever possible to ensure that people understand what follows next. Carefully label links. | |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Use single mouse clicks to access information. | |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Use a standard page design and the same symbols and icons throughout. Use the same set of navigation buttons in the same place on each page to move from one web page or section of the web site to another. Label each page in the same location with the name of the web site. | |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Incorporate text with the icon if possible, and use large buttons that do not require precise mouse movements for activation. | |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Use pull down menus sparingly. | |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Avoid automatically scrolling text. If manual scrolling is required, incorporate specific scrolling icons on each page. | |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Incorporate buttons such as "Previous Page" and "Next Page" to allow the reader to review or move forward. | |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Provide a site map to show how the site is organized. | |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Use icons with text hyperlinks. | |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Include a tutorial on the web site to teach visitors how to use the site. Offer a telephone number for those who would prefer to talk to a person. | |
| |
| |
|
 |
| |
Solicit unbiased comments from older adults through focus groups, usability testing or other means, to evaluate the accessibility and friendliness of the web site.
| |
| |
| |
|
 |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Charness, N., Bosman, E. A., Kelley, C. L., & Mottram, M. (1996). Cognitive theory and word processing: When prediction fails. In W. A. Rogers, A. D. Fisk, & N. Walker (Eds.). Aging and Skilled Performance: Advances in Theory and Application (pp. 221 - 239). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Craik, F. I. M., & Salthouse, T. A. (2000). The Handbook of Aging and Cognition. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Czaja, S. J., & Sharit, J. (1998). Ability-performance relationships as a function of age and task experience for a data entry task. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 4, 332 - 351.
Echt, K. V. (in press). Designing web-based health information for older adults: Visual considerations and design directives. In R. W. Morrell, (Ed.). Older Adults, Health Information, and the World Wide Web. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Hartley, J. (1999). What does it say? Text design, medical information, and older readers. In Park, D.C., Morrell, R.W., & Shifren, K. (Eds.). Processing of Medical Information in Aging Patients, (pp. 233 - 248). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Holt, B. J. (2000). Creating Senior-Friendly Web Sites. Center for Medicare Education, 1, 1 - 8.
Mead, S. E., Batsakes, P., Fisk, A. D., & Mykityshyn, A. (1999). Application of cognitive theory to training and design solutions for age-related computer use. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 23, 553 - 573.
Morrell, R. W. (1997). The application of cognitive theory in aging research. Cognitive Technology, 2, 44 - 47.
Morrell, R. W., Mayhorn, C. B., & Bennett, J. (2000). A survey of World Wide Web use in middle-aged and older adults. Human Factors, 42, 175 -182.
Rogers, W. A., & Fisk, A. D. (2000). Human factors, applied cognition, and aging. In Craik F.I.M. and Salthouse T. A. (Eds.), The Handbook of Aging and Cognition (second edition, pp. 559 - 591). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
U.S. Department of Commerce. (1999). Americans in the Information Age - Falling Through the Net. www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/digitaldivide/ | |
| |
| |
|  | |
|
Charness, N., Kelley, C. L., Bosman, E. A., & Mottram, M. (in press). Word processing training and retraining: Effects of adult age, experience, and interface. Psychology and Aging.
Czaja, S. J., & Sharit, J. (1998). Age differences in attitudes toward computers. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 53B, 329 - 340.
Echt, K. W., Morrell, R. W., & Park, D. C. (1998). The effects of age and training formats on basic computer skill acquisition in older adults. Educational Gerontology, 24, 3 - 25.
Ellis, D. E., & Kurnaiwan, S. H. (2000). Increasing the usability of online information for older users: A case study in participatory design. International Journal of Human Computer Interaction, 12, 263 - 276.
Holt, B. J., & Morrell, R. W. (in press). Guidelines for web site design for older adults: The ultimate influence of cognitive factors. In Morrell, R. W., (Ed.). Older Adults, Health Information, and the World Wide Web. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Kelley, C. L., Morrell, R. W., Park, D. C., & Mayhorn, C. B. (1999). Predictors of electronic bulletin board system use in older adults. Educational Gerontology, 25, 19 - 35.
Morrell, R. W., Mayhorn, C. B., & Bennett, J. (in press). Older Adults Online in the Internet Century. In Morrell, R. W., (Ed.). Older Adults, Health Information, and the World Wide Web. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Morrow, D. G., & Leirer, V. O. (1999). Designing medication instructions for older adults. In Park, D. C., Morrell, R. W., & Shifren, K. (Eds.). Processing of Medical Information in Aging Patients, (pp. 249 - 266). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Rousseau, G. K., Jamieson, B. A., Rogers, W. A., Mead, S. E., & Sit, R. A. (1998). Assessing the usabilty of online library systems. Behaviour and Information Technology, 17, 274 - 281.
Seniornet. (1998). Research on Seniors' Computer and Internet Usage: Report of a National Survey. www.seniornet.org/research/ | |
| |
| |
| | National Institute on Aging
www.nia.nih.gov
National Library of Medicine
www.nlm.nih.gov
National Institutes of Health
www.nih.gov
| |
U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894
National Institutes of Health, Department of Health & Human Services
Copyright, Privacy, Accessibility
Last updated: 09 October 2002
|
