Evaluation of techniques defined in WCAG 2.0 with older people
Sergio Sayago, Laura Camacho, Josep Blat · 2009 · Proceedings of the 2009 International Cross-Disciplinary Conference on Web Accessibililty (W4A) · doi:10.1145/1535654.1535673
Summary
This paper evaluates two specific WCAG 2.0 techniques — keyboard-based navigation (Guideline 2.1) and design of link purpose (Guideline 2.4) — with older people aged 65 to 80 in two real-world design projects for old-age pensioner associations in Barcelona, Spain. The study involved 12 participants across two settings who were familiar with basic web concepts but experienced normal age-related changes in vision, hearing, cognition, and mobility. Simple prototypes tested different link designs (linking text objects, verbs+objects, "click here," and "click here to" full phrases) and keyboard navigation methods (TAB key sequential navigation and ALT+number shortcuts) versus mouse navigation. The evaluations used a modified usability testing approach where participants worked in pairs rather than individually, as pair-based interaction made older people feel more relaxed and confident, and they naturally talked aloud to each other during tasks. The study was conducted during WCAG 2.0's draft period (2006-2007), with findings intended to inform the WAI-AGE project developing guidelines for older web users.
Key findings
The results produced three findings that challenge conventional WCAG wisdom. First, "click here to" links — which WCAG 2.0 advises against — were overwhelmingly preferred by older participants when links were embedded in paragraphs, because they clearly answered two critical questions: "Where do I click?" and "What will happen after clicking?" However, standard underlined links were sufficient for main navigation sections where links were not embedded in body text. This distinction between in-paragraph links and navigation links is not made in WCAG. Second, keyboard-based navigation did not improve accessibility for older people. TAB navigation disrupted reading flow with sudden vertical jumps, and SHIFT+TAB for backward navigation was difficult to remember and execute. Keyboard shortcuts were similarly unhelpful. All participants strongly preferred the mouse despite having more physical difficulty using it. The reason was social inclusiveness: participants wanted to use the same technology as their children and grandchildren, and using the keyboard for navigation would mark them as different or in need of special assistance. Third, clickable images should resolve to full-size renderings rather than opening new web pages — participants expected clicking a photo would enlarge it, not navigate elsewhere.
Relevance
This paper raises important questions about whether WCAG techniques designed primarily for users with disabilities adequately serve older people — a rapidly growing user population. The finding that older users reject keyboard navigation despite its physical ease, in favor of the mouse they associate with "normal" web use, reveals that accessibility acceptance is not purely functional but deeply social. The concept of "inclusiveness" as a driver of technology choice — wanting to use the same tools as family members rather than specialized alternatives — has significant implications for assistive technology design broadly. The nuanced finding about link design ("click here to" helps in paragraphs but is unnecessary in navigation) suggests WCAG guidance on link purpose should distinguish between link contexts rather than applying universal rules. For practitioners designing for older adults, the pair-based usability testing methodology offers a practical alternative to traditional single-user protocols. The paper also contributes to the ongoing discussion about whether WCAG adequately addresses the needs of older people, supporting the argument that age-related accessibility needs are distinct from — though overlapping with — disability-related needs.
Tags: aging · WCAG compliance · keyboard accessibility · link design · user testing · usability · older adults · web navigation
Standards referenced: WCAG 1.0 · WCAG 2.0