Age-Related Changes

Physical, sensory, and cognitive changes that occur naturally as people age, affecting how they interact with technology. Common changes include reduced visual acuity, hearing loss, decreased motor control, slower processing speed, and changes in working memory. However, semantic knowledge and vocabulary often remain stable or increase with age. Accessible design must accommodate these changes through features like adjustable text size, sufficient color contrast, larger touch targets, clear audio, and reduced reliance on working memory. Importantly, technology experience can be more predictive of success than age alone—older adults with extensive technology backgrounds often perform similarly to younger users.