Tourism website development for senior citizens based on web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) and universal design

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1) to develop a tourism website for senior citizens based on Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Universal Design, 2) to assess the quality of the tourism website for senior citizens based on Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Universal Design, and 3) to examine the user’s satisfaction of using the tourism website for senior citizens based on Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Universal Design. The process of the tourism website development for senior citizens based on Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Universal Design were as follows: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Universal Design were studied. After that, the prototype website was developed and evaluated by three experts. Next, the developed website was launched to the sample group. The sample group, purposively selected, consisted of 50 senior citizens aged between 60-69 years who regularly used the Internet. They were members of a senior citizen club located in Klong Sam subdistrict, Klong Luang district, Pathum Thani province. After accessing the website, the user’s satisfaction was assessed using questionnaires. The data were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation.

The study revealed that: 1) the tourism website for senior citizens based on Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Universal Design was developed with the following practices. First, each page was designed in the same pattern. Second, the preferred backgrounds were light colors with few decorations. Third, the links were clearly defined and the link buttons were vivid with bright colors and large fonts. Fourth, the contents and texts were not overloaded. Fifth, the text styles were simple and easy to read. Sixth, the illustrations were related to the contents and set in obvious positions. 2) Assessed by three experts, the website quality was at a good level. 3) The user’s satisfaction of the website content was at the highest level (x̄ = 4.55, S.D. = 0.50). Moreover, the user’s satisfaction of the website design at the highest level (x̄ = 4.37, S.D. = 0.50). In addition, the user’s satisfaction of the use of the website was at the highest level (x̄ = 4.55, S.D. = 0.50).