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Requirements identified from targeted studies
[Editor's DRAFT - 23 July 2008]
Introduction
Within the WAI-AGE literature review, a range of focussed studies were considered that identified requirements or good practices for Web sites to accommodate the needs of older users.
Limitations-based studies
From studies looking at groups of older adults with specific impairments or mild disabilities related to vision, mobility or cognition, we can identify the following recommendations:
- Larger (or expanding) link targets
- Dark text on light background (for most users)
- Sans serif fonts of 12-14pt size
- Proper case is more desirable than all capitals
- Underlining makes text harder to read
- Left-justified text is easier to read
- Minor page updates (e.g. via scripting) will be missed due to “change blindness”
Comprehension and cognition studies still have the jury out regarding the advantages and disadvantages of broad vs. deep site hierarchies (e.g. Berkov 2007; Savitch and Zaphiris, 2006). However, all agree that hypertext is more cognitively demanding than printed material due to the extra decisions that have to be made with respect to navigation. A poor navigation path has been shown to lead to a poor reading order which impairs comprehension and retain-ability – lending support for the suggestion of ‘previous/next’ links within certain types of documents.
Design aspect based studies
Studies looking at specific aspects of Web design identified the following recommendations:
- Forms
- Forms are demanding, and clear/simple question aid comprehension and completion
- Clear instructions before commencing form completion
- “*” for required fields is not sufficient (it is easily missed)
- Checking and validation during completion is suggested
- Logical question grouping, including grouping of required fields where appropriate
- Save and return later for longer forms
- Security information regarding the use of the data provided (and justification for personal data)
- Check boxes or radio buttons rather combo-boxes for choices
- Search
- Results linking to non-html results causes confusion
- Navigation
- Site maps are important for older users
Most of these targeted design studies identified issues experienced by older users, but did not necessarily make recommendations for overcoming them
Site function based studies
Studies looking at specific types of Web sites, e.g. relating to e-Learning or e-Commerce, also identified a few recommendations to assist older users:
- Distraction
- Avoid advertisements and irrelevant material as these can stop or slow down the task
- Reduce excessive page content
- Privacy
- Clear privacy statement
- Clear terms and conditions statements
Again, like the targeted design studies, the studies of particular types of websites regularly identified issues experienced by older users, but did not necessarily make recommendations for overcoming them.
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