Consider senior adult needs when designing Web sites

By Carrie Brown McWhorter

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, adults ages 60 and older are the fastest-growing group of Internet users in the country. Although age is not an obstacle to computer or Internet use, an older individual’s vision may present challenges to reading a computer screen.

When creating a Web page for senior adults, Dr. Dawn DeCarlo, director of the UAB Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation, offers the following tips:

• Use high contrast. Black letters on a white background work best. Avoid patterned backgrounds.
• Use uppercase and lowercase letters. Left-justified text is best. Make sure there is sufficient spacing between lines.
• Choose a simple font style. Classic serif styles like Times New Roman and sans-serif fonts like Arial are best.  Point sizes between 14 and 18 are generally good. Some styles may need larger fonts.
• Label all graphics. Some people with vision impairment use computer software to enhance Internet accessibility.  Labeling graphics will allow a screen reader to describe the graphic.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Library of Medicine (NLM) offer a resource for Web designers — Making Your Web Site Senior Friendly: A Checklist. It suggests the following:

• Present information in clear and simple language.
• Organize the Web site in a simple style. Use large buttons that do not require precise mouse movements for activation.
• Include a telephone number or e-mail address for those who want to contact someone personally.

To see these tips in action, visit https://www.nia.nih.gov/health, a Web site developed by the NIA and NLM.