Communications of the ACM
Companies Make Their Websites More Elderly-Friendly
Only 42% of older people in a U.K. survey said they find technology straightforward to use, while 13% consider going online a frustrating experience.
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As the pandemic forces older adults to do more business online and the buying power of this demographic grows, some companies have started redesigning their websites to make them more user-friendly for older adults.
One example is Boston-based prescription-discount company SingleCare, which has implemented gradual changes to its website to help users ages 50 and older, including streamlined navigation, simplified nomenclature, increased button size, and white fields where text is input.
London-based Web designer John Corcoran said text sizes larger than 12 points and sans serif fonts are preferable for people with deteriorating eyesight.
Jonathan Hassell of accessibility consulting firm Hassell Inclusion said contrast is another important consideration. Hassell said legislation could help make the Web better for seniors, but "getting the CEOs and information officers of all companies to take it seriously" is key.
From The Wall Street Journal
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