Web accessibility for older users

Abstract

Web accessibility for older users -- are we there yet? We understand many of the needs, however there are some gaps in our knowledge and much integration and adoption still required.The Web Accessibility Initiative: Ageing Education and Harmonisation (WAI-AGE) project analyzed the Web accessibility requirements of older Web users based on the research and investigation of many people examining this issue over recent years. The changing abilities of older users as they experience age-related functional impairments were also considered. We found that many of the requirements fall under usable accessibility rather than technical accessibility, and that the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 are able to assist developers to meet most of them. These usability aspects include factors such as the presentation of Web content, the inexperience of many older users, and the information overload often experienced. There is also an identified need for more usable browsers which can accommodate the varying experience, skills and impairments of older people and others in accessing the Web.Why isn't the current knowledge being fully utilised? Our review found that one reason is that people often aren't aware of it; the WAI-AGE project is working towards addressing the issue of educating researchers, developers and users alike. And what about the gaps in our knowledge? We identified that additional research is required to address gaps in our understanding, especially around some of the cognitive issues of ageing and around the way in which older users navigate the Web and interact with Web applications.This paper discusses the successes and examines reasons why, with regard to Web accessibility for older people, we are not there yet. It describes some of the challenges facing us and the associated opportunities as we all contribute to the enhancement of Web accessibility for all users.

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