Accessibility accommodations for older adults seeking e-health information

The study tested the effect of Web page design accommodations for older adults. Two websites, designed by the researchers, were viewed and evaluated by three groups of adults: Younger (ages 30 to 64), Older (ages 65 to 84), and Oldest (ages 85 and older). The two sites, one with accommodations and one without, had identical health content. Thirty adults in each of three age groups rated both web pages. A 2 X 3, mixed ANOVA, age by page style was calculated. Both main effects and the interaction were significant. In all groups, ratings for the website without accommodations were lower than for the site with accommodations. The ratings of the site without accommodations were lowest among adults in the Oldest group.