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If you’ve set up a new account on a website in the last few years, you’re no doubt familiar with the string of random letters and numbers you have to type to prove you’re a human.

These tests — called CAPTCHAs — were supposed to stymie computer programs trying to pose as humans on sign-up pages and forums, but industry experts suspect we may soon be seeing the last of them.

Computerworld is predicting the death of the CAPTCHA, saying that in the decade-long game of cat and mouse, the scammers and their programs — computers tricking other computers into thinking they’re human — have emerged victorious.

With automated tools now able to defeat 90-100 percent of the CAPTCHAs at many popular sites, malicious users can create free e-mail addresses and social networking accounts at will.

Few users will mourn the passing of the tests. As CAPTCHAs grew more complex over the years to hold off computerized attempts to subvert them, they added headaches for site administrators and effectively locked out many blind users. Source: http://marketplace.publicradio.org/

Since joining Bridge, I’m feeling like a senior citizen.  So I’ve found quite a few interesting and relevant resources about accessibility and the senior population.

 Often when we talk about accessible websites, we think about screen readers, alt tags and resizable text.  Vision impairment is definitely an issue for seniors, but there are a lot of cognitive and behavioral differences to consider as well.

 Fidelity Investments did studies on designing websites for people over 50, and AARP.org gives a good summary of the Eight Lessons Learned.  Many of the findings do not pertain to vision or motor impairment.  Seniors read, process and interact differently than younger users, have lower levels of confidence and understanding, and higher levels of anxiety when it comes to using the web. The amount of content per page, clarity of content and terminology, and consistent placement of navigation are all important to consider. 

 Lots of links about designing for older users

http://www.aarp.org/olderwiserwired/

 Here’s a checklist:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/staffpubs/od/ocpl/agingchecklist.html

The Greater Good

In an interview with AARP, Ben Shneiderman talks about “Creating Participation”.  This is what he says:

 “…I think the highest goal of web design for older people should be not only to serve the elders, but to benefit from them. It’s the contributions that they can make to our society by their participation –that is the real pay off.

We’re going to benefit their lives by the social communication, by the challenges we give them, by the educational experiences, by the information for their own lives, by their capacity to do banking, or make travel arrangements, and send photos, and receive photos from grandchildren, and so we’ll benefit seniors.

But we’ll also benefit everyone else who will gain from their experience and their wisdom. Increasing the participation of older users in society is the opportunity that attracts me.”