Designing for the Life Span Segment 3
Designing for the Life Span Segment 3 
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[D]
The Design Principal that should be observed to make control and display systems more legible and, hence more useable is called redundant cueing.
Redundant cueing is the use of more than one sensory modality to communicate a message. Using sounds to back up a control is redundant cueing. Making visual cues tactile is another way. The control center for the home to the right, uses color coding, tactile and visual cues, control "ganging" for ease of identification and recesses to position the trembling finger so that detenting the control can be done positively.
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To address the issue of sensory loss, it is necessary to utilize as much of the capability of the older adult as possible. In order to do this, displays and controls must "back up" their visibility and legibility through "redundant" signals to more than one sensory modality Visual cues must be supported with auditory and tactile cues where appropriate.
In the control center for a home security system in this slide, controls are grouped by function and "shape coded." Push buttons are recessed to provide tactile location. Important emergency controls are located at the top of the device, differentiated by color and by graphic symbol. The display uses white illuminated figures on a dark gray background. The design itself addresses the functional issues presented to the designer by the older adult, but does not sacrifice aesthetics... it addresses even the aesthetic challenges in a new and pleasing way.
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