Merri Health recently released a new version of its tool to improve digital accessibility for everyone, as part of its effort to address the digital exclusion experienced by many older Australians.
Launched last year, the tool underwent a revamp in June 2024.
The Digital Age Inclusivity and Accessibility Audit Tool is an easy-to-use checklist that focuses on reducing the barriers seniors face to using technology and boosting their online access.
Informed by international accessibility standards, Victorian government digital guidelines as well as feedback from Merri Health’s Consumer Advisory Committee, the tool is divided into seven sections: navigation, text, language, images, audio and video, sensitive content and different devices.
From using Plain English and age-inclusive language to avoiding colour combinations that impact colourblind people and stock images of older people that emphasise frailty, vulnerability and dependency, the tool makes a range of recommendations to help make websites more user-friendly for older people.
:format():fill())