Tips for Designing Accessible Newsletters for Senior Readers

Whether it’s for a senior center or a retirement community, a newsletter is a valuable tool for keeping your target audience informed about upcoming events, activities, and services. When you are designing newsletters for seniors, however, it’s important to keep accessibility in mind. With a few thoughtful enhancements, your newsletter can be more effective for older readers.

Creating Accessible Newsletters for Older Adults

• Choose a Readable Font

One of the most critical factors in designing an accessible newsletter is selecting the right font. As people age, their eyesight can change, making it more challenging to read small or complex fonts. For senior readers, use simple, sans-serif fonts such as Arial, Helvetica, or Verdana. They are easier to read because they lack the decorative strokes that can make letters harder to distinguish.

Font size is equally important. Avoid using small text. A minimum font size of 12–14 points is recommended for body text. Make headings even larger to make the newsletter easier to scan and increase its visual appeal. Be mindful not to go overboard with too many font sizes, as this can cause visual clutter.

• Use High-Contrast Colors

Color can impact newsletter accessibility, too. High contrast between text and background is essential for readability. For seniors with reduced vision, low contrast can make reading difficult. A classic and accessible color combination is black text on a white or light-colored background. If you want to add color for visual appeal, confirm that it doesn’t interfere with legibility. Avoid using bright, neon colors or overly vibrant shades, as they can strain the eyes.

• Break Up Content into Shorter Sections

Seniors may have trouble processing dense blocks of text, so breaking content into manageable sections is key. Use short paragraphs and clear subheadings to organize information. Bulleted or numbered lists are also great ways to present information in an easy-to-digest format. This not only helps with readability but also highlights important details, such as event dates, times, or locations.

• Incorporate Clear Visuals and Images

Incorporating images into your newsletter can help break up text and make the design more engaging, but it’s crucial that the images are clear and relevant. Use high-quality graphics, like the options found inside of content libraries like WeCreate, and avoid cluttering the page with too many images. If your newsletter is digital, ensure that images are accompanied by alt text —brief descriptions that help people who use screen readers to understand what the images depict.

• Optimize for Print and Digital Formats

Many seniors may prefer to read physical newsletters, while others may want to access them digitally. To ensure accessibility for all, be sure to publish your newsletter in both print and digital formats. For print, use a clean layout, with ample white space to avoid overcrowding the page. Digital newsletters should be mobile friendly, as many seniors will access them on their smartphones or tablets. Make sure the design adjusts to different screen sizes, and the text is scalable for easy reading.

If you feel lost when it comes to converting your print newsletter to digital, LPi makes it super simple. Our newsletter service automatically converts your print newsletter to a digital format so that the seniors in your community have all the options and you save time on the process!

• Include a Clear Call to Action

Senior readers need to know exactly what actions they should take after reading your newsletter. Whether you want them to sign up for an event, attend a meeting, or contact someone for more information, clear calls to action (CTAs) are essential. Make sure each CTA is straightforward and placed in a prominent location. If your newsletter is digital, use large, easy-to-read buttons or links and ensure they are clearly visible and lead to the correct destination.

• Simplify the Language

Using clear, simple language will help all readers understand the content, especially those who may have cognitive difficulties or are unfamiliar with complex terminology. Avoid jargon, technical terms, or acronyms that might confuse readers. Instead, opt for plain language, and if you need to use technical terms, provide explanations.

• Test and Get Feedback

Finally, before launching your newsletter, test it with a sample group of senior readers. Gather feedback on readability, design, and overall usability. Seniors may have valuable insights that can help you further refine the design and content.

Read More About Newsletter Tools

If one of your goals is to learn more about designing a newsletter that better connects with a senior audience, we encourage you to visit the Newsletter Tools section of the LPi blog. You’ll find articles on a wide range of topics from design to creative ideas for content, many written specifically with senior audiences in mind.