Short answer
Designers and developers should proactively research and integrate accessibility features for older adults into their projects, recognizing this as a growing and underserved market.
- Field
- Innovation & Markets
- Source
- Gerontechnology (2014)
- Method
- Industry Survey
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
A significant portion of web industry professionals are unaware of or do not prioritize web accessibility for older adults, indicating a missed market opportunity. This innovation & markets research insight is drawn from a 2014 study published in Gerontechnology. Using Industry survey, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers and developers should proactively research and integrate accessibility features for older adults into their projects, recognizing this as a growing and underserved market.
Web Accessibility for Older Adults: A Market Blind Spot
A significant portion of web industry professionals are unaware of or do not prioritize web accessibility for older adults, indicating a missed market opportunity.
Gerontechnology · 2014
Key Findings
- 01Only 50% of surveyed web professionals agreed that aging is a web accessibility issue.
- 02Fewer than 20% of professionals were aware of specific Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) documentation related to older people.
- 03Project managers were more likely than other roles to dismiss aging as an accessibility concern.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers and developers should proactively research and integrate accessibility features for older adults into their projects, recognizing this as a growing and underserved market.
How to apply
When developing digital products, conduct user research that specifically includes older adults and consult accessibility guidelines that address age-related changes in vision, hearing, and motor skills.
Project actions
- 01When researching a target audience, consider if age-related accessibility needs are relevant.
- 02Investigate existing accessibility guidelines and standards that cater to diverse user groups.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Addresses a critical but often overlooked aspect of web accessibility.
- +Provides empirical data on industry attitudes and knowledge gaps.
Limitations
The survey was conducted in 2014, and industry awareness may have evolved since then. The sample size and geographical representation of the survey participants are not specified.
Reliability & validity
The reliability and validity of the survey instrument itself are not detailed in the abstract. The findings are based on self-reported attitudes and awareness.
Think critically
Given the findings, what strategies could be implemented by industry bodies or educational institutions to improve web professionals' understanding of accessibility for aging populations?
Design Principles
"Inclusive design principles must extend to all age groups, ensuring digital products are usable by the widest possible audience."
Understanding and addressing the specific needs of aging populations in web design can unlock a growing market segment. Neglecting this demographic can lead to exclusion and lost business opportunities.
What This Means for Your Design
Many people who build websites don't think about older people needing them to be easy to use, even though there are rules for this. This means businesses are missing out on serving older customers.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify the inclusion of specific user groups in your design process, especially if they are often overlooked.
- 2.Cite this study when discussing the importance of inclusive design and market opportunities.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
Research indicates a significant gap in web industry professionals' awareness and prioritization of web accessibility for older adults (Gilbertson, 2014). This oversight represents a missed market opportunity and highlights the need for inclusive design practices that cater to all age demographics.
Source
Gerontechnology
Attitudes and behaviours towards web accessibility and ageing: Results of an industry survey
journal · 2014
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about web accessibility for older adults: a market blind spot?
- Designers and developers should proactively research and integrate accessibility features for older adults into their projects, recognizing this as a growing and underserved market. Evidence: Gerontechnology (2014).
- Why does "Web Accessibility for Older Adults: A Market Blind Spot" matter for design?
- Understanding and addressing the specific needs of aging populations in web design can unlock a growing market segment. Neglecting this demographic can lead to exclusion and lost business opportunities.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers and developers should proactively research and integrate accessibility features for older adults into their projects, recognizing this as a growing and underserved market.
- What were the main findings?
- Only 50% of surveyed web professionals agreed that aging is a web accessibility issue.. Fewer than 20% of professionals were aware of specific Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) documentation related to older people.. Project managers were more likely than other roles to dismiss aging as an accessibility concern.
- What research method was used?
- Industry Survey.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2014 journal from Gerontechnology.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing digital products, conduct user research that specifically includes older adults and consult accessibility guidelines that address age-related changes in vision, hearing, and motor skills.
- What are the limitations?
- The survey's findings may not be generalizable to all web industry professionals, and the specific definitions of 'web industry professional' and 'older people' were not detailed.