Many older adults have problems with vision. As
many as two-thirds of adults with vision problems are older than 65.1 When you create graphics, text, or other visuals,
consider the needs of older audiences.
|
What You Can
Do |
Starter
Tips |
|
Make information easy to
see. |
- Effective materials have a simple design
with sharp contrast between text and background.
- Use a large font size, preferably 16- or
18-point.
- Try 1-inch margins and at least 1 1/2
blank spaces between lines of text.
- When using a table, make it simple and
easy to follow.
|
|
Design Web sites that are senior
friendly. |
- Web sites for seniors require readable
text presented in a carefully organized format.
- Font type and size, spacing,
justification, color, and backgrounds all need to be planned with older
audiences in mind.
|
|
Consider using Braille and
audio-taped information whenever necessary. |
- Braille and audiotape are necessary for
some adults with low vision or blindness.
|
|
Be sensitive to individual
needs. |
- Degrees of impairment vary, as do the
ways people overcome such challenges. Ask older adults with vision problems if
they want assistance with these issues and, if so, how you can help.
- It may help to research vision aids, such
as magnifiers, so that you can understand how they help people.
|
The following resources can help you as you design
materials and Web sites to meet the needs of older adults with visual
impairment.
