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Usability forAdults Over 50
Amy LeeDirector of Customer Experience for WebAARP Services, Inc.
Reality check on the demographic
This is not today’s “older adult”.
Complicated attitudes toward aging
Denial is a powerful thing Be sensitive to our unsaid stigmas
around aging
A person turns 50 every 8 seconds Soon the Internet will be “like water
from a faucet”
“I’m just too dumb for computers.”
Don’t trust your survey methods. Your respondents might be making wrong assumptions.
Always watch users interact with your site.
Attitudes toward interacting online
People were embarrassed about spending time on a Web-based community application, even if they did participate on message boards.
“I have real friends”
Gaming: Older adults get on the Web to play games, but many seem to loathe to admit it.
Watch your language!
If you are self taught on the computer, why would you know technical terms?
Feeling overwhelmed
“The page is just so cluttered” Related to “cautious clicking?
Designing for Older Adults: The Bottom Line
Good Web site design for older adults follows the standards of good Web design for everyone. There is no reason why it has to be “boring”.
Ultimately, everyone benefits.
Older Wiser Wired
A community of practice around usable Web site design for older adults
Will post research results and tools Online community of peers (discussion
board and email newsletter)
www.aarp.org/olderwiserwired
