Why the article is helpful
- How the elderly approach technology
- 106 design guidelines for making websites easier and engaging for seniors
- 75 screenshot illustrations to supplement findings
This report showed that websites are significantly harder to use for seniors versus younger users. There is an overlap between good design practices for a general population and web usability for senior citizens. The authors included 106 design guidelines for making websites easier and more engaging for seniors, along with 75 screenshot illustrations to supplement their findings. For instance, limiting graphics and links on a page, avoiding pop-up windows, rollover text, new windows, and cascading menus, and making a search tool forgiving of spelling errors.
Links to article
Coyne, K.P. and Nielsen, J. (2002). Web usability for senior citizens – Design guidelines based on usability studies with people age 65 and older. Nielsen Norman Group, April 2002, pp.126.