Visitor's
Guide
Welcome to the Visitors Guide. We hope your web experience is as
useful and rewarding. To help achieve that goal, the site implements
a consistent, user-friendly design and navigational structure and
uses a myriad of popular Internet technologies to enhance your experience.
Please select a topic from the left navigation to help you get the
most out of your visit to the AoA web site.
Third Party Plug-ins
Q: What is a plug-in?
A: A plug-in is additional
software that you can install for your web browser to add functionality.
Plug-ins are commonly used to add video, audio, and other features
and capabilities to your web browser. Fortunately, all the plug-ins
used on the Administration on Aging Web Site can be downloaded for
free off the World Wide Web.
Q: What plug-ins
are used on the Administration on Aging Web Site?
A:
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader: Allows you to view and print Adobe® Portable
Document Format (PDF) files. Acrobat® Reader is available from the
Acrobat® Reader Download page. Read more about PDF files below.
Click on the Image below to get Adobe® Acrobat® Reader.
Free Plug-ins
For your convenience here are the plug-ins you may need to install
to view some of the content in AoA’s Multimedia Gallery:
Q: What are PDF's and how do I use them?
A: PDF stands for Portable
Document Format. PDF's keep the look and feel of documents that
must maintain specific formatting. PDF files are compact, cross-platform,
and can be viewed by anyone with the free Acrobat Reader.
PDF and Microsoft Word files on this site are indicated by the following
instances:
PDF Version
HTML Version
Microsoft Word Version
File sizes will be indicated after the PDF or Microsoft Word
icons within brackets "[file size]".
To view a PDF file, you will need Adobe® Acrobat® Reader installed
on your personal computer. Acrobat® Reader can be downloaded from
Adobe's web site at no cost.
PDF Files and Accessibility
Adobe has made considerable progress in making pdf files accessible
to users with visual impairments who browse the web using screen
reader software. Adobe currently offers two options:
- Version 5.0 of the free Adobe Acrobat Reader contains many
enhancement to support the accessibility of pdf document. In
addition, Adobe will offer a free, downloadable plug-in beginning
in Spring 2001. The Acrobat 5.0 Make Accessible plug-in works
with the full version of Acrobat 5.0 for Windows to let document
authors convert untagged Adobe PDF files into tagged Adobe PDF
files
- Online conversion tools for Adobe PDF Documents to help visually
disabled users whose screen reader software is not compatible
with the Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0. These online tools convert
PDF documents into either HTML or ASCII text, which can then
be read by a number of common screen reader programs. These
tools approximate the logical reading order of the text in an
Adobe PDF document and reformat it into a single column of text.
See: http://access.adobe.com
for additional information and links to the software.
If you have difficulty opening PDF file(s) on the AoA
Web Site:
Some users have reported difficulty in downloading the pdf files
directly from their browsers. If you experience this problem,
click on "Refresh" or "Reload" on your browser
Toolbar. If that does not help, right+click on the link to the
pdf file, save the file to your hard drive, and then open the
file by double clicking on it from Windows Explorer.
It is also recommended that you:
- upgrade to the latest version of your browser (for MS Internet
Explorer, this is currently 5.5, for Netscape this is 6.01);
and
- upgrade to the latest version of the free Adobe Acrobat Reader
(currently 5.0).
Advanced troubleshooting information for the Adobe Acrobat Reader
may be found on the Adobe web site at:
Alternatively, we will be happy to email you the pdf file which
you wish to open. Users have reported no problems opening emailed
files. The pdf file should be requested from: aoainfo@aoa.gov
We regret this inconvenience are working to identify the source
of this difficulty.
Opening/Saving/Printing
You may choose to "click" on the link to open/view the file using
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader or "right-mouse click" on the link (Mac:
command + click) and choose the option "save target as", "save
link as", or "save file as" to save the file on your computer.
If you choose to print, press the "print" icon (picture of a printer)
on the Acrobat® Toolbar. If you choose to save the PDF after viewing,
click on the "save" icon (picture of a disc) on the Acrobat® Toolbar;
then browse to where you would like to save the file.
Adobe® Acrobat® Tool Bar
For more information on Adobe® Acrobat® or to get the free plug-in
please click on the Adobe® link below.
 
Other Plug-ins:
Audio Instructions
Sound clips/files can be played on most any computer, however
the file sizes can be considerably large. To play .wav files you
will need a browser plug-in or other program that can handle them.
AoA patrons can use QuickTime, Media Player or Real Player, which
can play files of many different formats on both PC and Macintosh.
Video Instructions
AoA Video clips are in the following formats:
Video clips/files can be played on most any computer, however
the file sizes can be considerably large. To play video clips/
files you will need a browser plug-in or other program that can
handle them. AoA patrons can use QuickTime, Media Player or Real
Player, which can play files of many different formats on both
PC and Macintosh.
[00:02:30:10] SMPTE - Society of Motion Pictures and Television
Engineers - Video Time Code - Where the above clip plays for 2
minutes, 30 seconds and 10 Frames.
PowerPoint Instructions
AoA PowerPoint presentations are available for viewing and downloading.
You may choose to "click" on the link to open/view the
file using PowerPoint or "right-mouse click" on the
link (Mac: command + click) and choose the option "save target
as", "save link as", or "save file as"
to save the file on your computer.
Photo Instructions
AoA photos are available for viewing and downloading. You may
choose to "click" on the link to open/view the file
viewing it in the browser or "right-mouse click" on
the link (Mac: command + click) and choose the option "save
target as", "save link as", or "save file
as" to save the file on your computer.
Site Layout/Navigation
Since people understand information in different ways, the AoA Web
Site has been organized and designed to allow you to navigate through
the site with relative ease. The images and information below identify
and explain the features and navigation methods of the site: The
representative pages shown below include the Homepage and Content
Level Page.
A. Branding, Search, Foreign Languages, Main Navigation
Within the header you will find AoA-online branding which includes
the AoA logo and imagery that supports AoA’s mission and goals.
Please notice that there is a link to Department of Heath and Human
Services in the upper left hand corner of the header. This link
will take you to the Parent Site in which AoA resides as one of
HHS’ programs.
Also notice that there is a "Quick Index" pull-down
menu, which highlights some of the most popular destinations within
AoA’s web site. Just simply select a quick link and press
"Go" and you will be taken to that particular page.
Also found in the header is AoA’s search field. Typing in
a key word or phrase and pressing, "Find" will search
AoA's entire site. Once the results are displayed you can refine
your search or select from the listing provided. The header can
be found on every page in the same location.
Main Navigation
Just below the header you will find the main navigation for the
AoA web site. The main navigation can be found on every page in
the same location. AoA main navigation consists of five major
sections:
- About AoA
- Press Room
- Elders & Families
- Professionals
- Doing Business with AoA
B. Top Story
Showcasing AoA achievements, here is where you will find a daily photograph. Sometimes you will find a "Full Story" link, in which you can choose to click on that link to read more about that Top Story.
C. Welcome to AoA
Spotlighted here is the AoA welcome message from U.S. Assistant Secretary Josefina G. Carbonell. Updated Weekly.
D. AoA Highlights
Here you will find various news stories about AoA/HHS. News may range from recent press releases, fact sheets, and conferences to job opening and grant announcements - A good place to start exploring within AoA.
E. Resource Rooms
Here you will find AoA's resource rooms, which in some case are other AoA sites devoted to a specific aging topic. Some Rooms:
F. Features
Another area devoted to spotlighting topics regarding aging in America. Here you may find a feature on a specific topic such as "Age Discrimination" or important statistical information. This area changes monthly and covers a variety of topics. Check back often for new features.
G. Contact Information
AoA contact information.
H. Site Utilities
Featured in this section you will find the site utilities for the Administration on Aging web site. From left to right they are:
- What's New - New information found on AoA's web site (weekly).
- Contact AoA - Key contact information for AoA.
- Visitor's Guide - Where you are now. Help with the site.
- Privacy Notice - Legal and Privacy Act information.
- Accessibility - Web accessibility for handicap patrons, Section 508 information.
- FOIA - Freedom of Information Act - How to make a FOIA request.
A. Header, Branding, Search, Quick Index
Within the header you will find AoA-online branding which includes
the AoA logo and imagery that supports AoA’s mission and goals.
Please notice that there is a link to Department of Heath and Human
Services in the upper left hand corner of the header. This link
will take you to the Parent Site in which AoA resides as one of
HHS’ programs.
Also notice that there is a "Quick Index" pull-down menu, which
highlights some of the most popular destinations within AoA’s web
site. Just simply select a quick link and press "Go" and you will
be taken to that particular page. Also found in the header is AoA’s
search field. Typing in a key word or phrase and pressing, "Find"
will search AoA's entire site. Once the results are displayed you
can refine your search or select from the listing provided. The
header can be found on every page in the same location.
B. Main Navigation
Just below the header you will find the main navigation for the
AoA web site. The main navigation can be found on every page in
the same location. AoA main navigation consists of five major sections:
• About AoA
• Press Room
• Elders &
Families
• Professionals
• Doing Business with
AoA
C. Local Navigation
When exploring a lower level page, here is where you will find the
Local Navigation for that particular section. Featured in this section
you will find the local navigation for a specific area of the AoA
web site. Notice the identifying label; for example if we are in
the Press Room section, you will notice the navigation items for
that area, "Press Room", which include 2 levels of navigation. The
items represented by a blue square are the featured items and are
representing level 2 items (please see the site index to further
this representation). Local navigation items with an arrow pointing
down as shown with "Fact Sheets" represents that this section has
lower level pages associated with it. It you click on "Fact Sheets"
the Fact Sheets section will collapse and expose the lower levels
associated with it. If you go a level deeper within "Fact Sheets"
and select 2001 Fact Sheets you will notice the "Local Navigation"
does not go a level deeper. Please take note of the "Breadcrumb."
See Navigational Breadcrumb Trail below.
D. Navigational
"Breadcrumb" Trail
One of the best ways to find out where you are in the web site is
the breadcrumb. Breadcrumb navigation is a widely-employed navigation
method used to solve two of the three questions posed by users as
they move through a web site, namely:
• Where am I?
• Where have I been?
• Where can I go from here?
Breadcrumb navigation displays the current page's context within
the site structure. The term "breadcrumb" is as in "Hansel and Gretel"
- leaving a trail of crumbs in order to find their way back out
of the forest. The benefit of this approach is that it makes obvious
the ways in which information has been grouped and allows the user
both to move between these groupings and understand the information
structure. Clicking on the desired "crumb" will take you to that
page. The bold text is where you currently reside in the web site.
Breadcrumb Example:
Home > Press Room > Fact Sheets > 2001 Fact Sheets
E. Main Body Content, Content Page Controls
The heart of the web site - this is the most important part of the
web site; it is why you are here to read and learn more about AoA.
At the top of the text you will see the section page you are currently
in, notice the breadcrumb at this point is has now expanded. The
text is set in Aria, Helvetica etc. this allows for the best on-screen
reading typography. At the end of the main body text and bottom
of the page in most cases, you will notice these three important
items:
• Printer Friendly Page - Display printer friendly
text - Text only for printing
• Email this page to a Friend
- Email the page URL to a friend.
• Was the information
on this page helpful? - Takes to a feedback form to be filled out?
These items are on every page and offer the patron with more control
in his/her web experience.
F. Spotlight Area
Located below the breadcrumb and to the right we have an area for
photos and content. Items may vary based on the page (Photos and
Information).
G. Additional Topics
Directly below the spotlight image or information you will find
the "Additional Topics" pertaining to that page. Additional Topics
or Related links are a great way to cross-pollinate information
throughout the site.
H. Site Utilities
Featured in this section you will find the site utilities for the
Administration on Aging web site. From left to right they are:
• What’s New - New information found on AoA’s web site
(weekly).
• Contact AoA - Key contact information for AoA.
• Visitor’s Guide - Where you are now. Help with the site.
• Site Map - Hierarchical listing of the site
• Privacy
Notice - Legal and Privacy Act information.
• Accessibility
- Web accessibility for handicap patrons, Section 508 information.
• en español - Spanish information found on AoA’s web site.
• FOIA - Freedom of Information Act - How to make a FOIA request.
• Topics A-Z - Alphabetical listing of the site.
A. Header, Branding, Search, Quick Index
Within the header you will find AoA-online branding which includes
the AoA logo and imagery that supports AoA’s mission and goals.
Please notice that there is a link to Department of Heath and Human
Services in the upper left hand corner of the header. This link
will take you to the Parent Site in which AoA resides as one of
HHS’ programs.
Also notice that there is a "Quick Index" pull-down menu, which
highlights some of the most popular destinations within AoA’s web
site. Just simply select a quick link and press "Go" and you will
be taken to that particular page. Also found in the header is AoA’s
search field. Typing in a key word or phrase and pressing, "Find"
will search AoA's entire site. Once the results are displayed you
can refine your search or select from the listing provided. The
header can be found on every page in the same location.
B. Main Navigation
Just below the header you will find the main navigation for the
AoA web site. The main navigation can be found on every page in
the same location. AoA main navigation consists of five major sections:
• About AoA
• Press Room
• Elders &
Families
• Professionals
• Doing Business with
AoA
C. Navigational "Breadcrumb" Trail
One of the best ways to find out where you are in the web site is
the breadcrumb. Breadcrumb navigation is a widely-employed navigation
method used to solve two of the three questions posed by users as
they move through a web site, namely:
• Where am I?
• Where have I been?
• Where can I go from here?
Breadcrumb navigation displays the current page's context within
the site structure. The term "breadcrumb" is as in "Hansel and Gretel"
- leaving a trail of crumbs in order to find their way back out
of the forest. The benefit of this approach is that it makes obvious
the ways in which information has been grouped and allows the user
both to move between these groupings and understand the information
structure. Clicking on the desired "crumb" will take you to that
page. The bold text is where you currently reside in the web site.
Breadcrumb Example:
Home > Press Room > Fact Sheets > 2001 Fact Sheets
D. Main Body Content
The heart of the web site - this is the most important part of the
web site; it is why you are here to read and learn more about AoA.
At the top of the text you will see the section page you are currently
in, notice the breadcrumb at this point is has now expanded. The
text is set in Aria, Helvetica etc. this allows for the best on-screen
reading typography. At the end of the main body text and bottom
of the page in most cases, you will notice these three important
items:
• Printer Friendly Page - Display printer friendly
text - Text only for printing
• Email this page to a Friend
- Email the page URL to a friend.
• Was the information
on this page helpful? - Takes to a feedback form to be filled out?
These items are on every page and offer the patron with more control
in his/her web experience.
E. Site Utilities
Featured in this section you will find the site utilities for the
Administration on Aging web site. From left to right they are:
• What’s New - New information found on AoA’s web site
(weekly).
• Contact AoA - Key contact information for AoA.
• Visitor’s Guide - Where you are now. Help with the site.
• Site Map - Hierarchical listing of the site
• Privacy
Notice - Legal and Privacy Act information.
• Accessibility
- Web accessibility for handicap patrons, Section 508 information.
• en español - Spanish information found on AoA’s web site.
• FOIA - Freedom of Information Act - How to make a FOIA request.
• Topics A-Z - Alphabetical listing of the site.
A. Header, Branding, Search, Quick Index
Within the header you will find AoA-online branding which includes
the AoA logo and imagery that supports AoA’s mission and goals.
Please notice that there is a link to Department of Heath and Human
Services in the upper left hand corner of the header. This link
will take you to the Parent Site in which AoA resides as one of
HHS’ programs.
Also notice that there is a "Quick Index" pull-down menu, which
highlights some of the most popular destinations within AoA’s web
site. Just simply select a quick link and press "Go" and you will
be taken to that particular page. Also found in the header is AoA’s
search field. Typing in a key word or phrase and pressing, "Find"
will search AoA's entire site. Once the results are displayed you
can refine your search or select from the listing provided. The
header can be found on every page in the same location.
B. Main Navigation
Just below the header you will find the main navigation for the
AoA web site. The main navigation can be found on every page in
the same location. AoA main navigation consists of five major sections:
• About AoA
• Press Room
• Elders &
Families
• Professionals
• Doing Business with
AoA
C. Local Navigation
When exploring a lower level page, here is where you will fine the
Local Navigation for that particular section. Featured in this section
you will find the local navigation for a specific area of the AoA
web site. Notice the identifying label; for example if we are in
the Press Room section, you will notice the navigation items for
that area, "Press Room", which include 2 levels of navigation. The
items represented by a blue square are the featured items and are
representing level 2 items (please see the site index to further
this representation). Local navigation items with an arrow pointing
down as shown with "Fact Sheets" represents that this section has
lower level pages associated with it. It you click on "Fact Sheets"
the Fact Sheets section will collapse and expose the lower levels
associated with it. If you go a level deeper within "Fact Sheets"
and select 2001 Fact Sheets you will notice the "Local Navigation"
does not go a level deeper. Please take note of the "Breadcrumb."
See Navigational Breadcrumb Trail below.
D. Navigational
"Breadcrumb" Trail
One of the best ways to find out where you are in the web site is
the breadcrumb. Breadcrumb navigation is a widely-employed navigation
method used to solve two of the three questions posed by users as
they move through a web site, namely:
• Where am I?
• Where have I been?
• Where can I go from here?
Breadcrumb navigation displays the current page's context within
the site structure. The term "breadcrumb" is as in "Hansel and Gretel"
- leaving a trail of crumbs in order to find their way back out
of the forest. The benefit of this approach is that it makes obvious
the ways in which information has been grouped and allows the user
both to move between these groupings and understand the information
structure. Clicking on the desired "crumb" will take you to that
page. The bold text is where you currently reside in the web site.
Breadcrumb Example:
Home > Press Room > Fact Sheets > 2001 Fact Sheets
E. Main Body Content, Content Page Controls
The heart of the web site - this is the most important part of the
web site; it is why you are here to read and learn more about AoA.
At the top of the text you will see the section page you are currently
in, notice the breadcrumb at this point is has now expanded. The
text is set in Aria, Helvetica etc. this allows for the best on-screen
reading typography. At the end of the main body text and bottom
of the page in most cases, you will notice these three important
items:
• Printer Friendly Page - Display printer friendly
text - Text only for printing
• Email this page to a Friend
- Email the page URL to a friend.
• Was the information
on this page helpful? - Takes to a feedback form to be filled out?
These items are on every page and offer the patron with more control
in his/her web experience.
F. Site Utilities
Featured in this section you will find the site utilities for the
Administration on Aging web site. From left to right they are:
• What’s New - New information found on AoA’s web site
(weekly).
• Contact AoA - Key contact information for AoA.
• Visitor’s Guide - Where you are now. Help with the site.
• Site Map - Hierarchical listing of the site
• Privacy
Notice - Legal and Privacy Act information.
• Accessibility
- Web accessibility for handicap patrons, Section 508 information.
• en español - Spanish information found on AoA’s web site.
• FOIA - Freedom of Information Act - How to make a FOIA request.
• Topics A-Z - Alphabetical listing of the site.
Search
Q: How do I search the "Administration on Aging" Web Site?
A: You can search the contents of the Administration on Aging
Web Site by using the Search field found in the header of each page.
In the search field, enter a keyword or phrase you are interested
in, select the "Find" button, and the system will list all the pages
on the site that contain the entered keyword or phrase. This is
an effective way to find all the instances pertaining to a specific
subject across the site.
AoA Sites
Also available for interest are these sites that are sponsored by the Administration
on Aging:
Health & Human Services Related Sites:
Acronyms
AOA - Administration on Aging
DHHS - Department
Health and Human Services
AAA - Area Agencies on Aging
AAHSA - American Association of Homes and Services for the
Aging
ADA - Americans With Disabilities Act
AGE
- Alzheimer Grantee Extranet
AHCA - The American Health
Care Association (AHCA)
AHRQ - Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality
ALFA - The Assisted Living Federation
of America
AoA - Administration on Aging
CDC
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CLESE -
Coalition of Limited English Speaking Elderly
DHHS -
Department of Health and Human Services
DREDF - Disability
Rights Education and Defense Fund, Inc
ENP - Elderly
Nutrition Program
FCA - Family Caregiver Alliance
FMLA - Family and Medical Leave Act
FOIA - Freedom
of Information Act
FSN - Food and Nutrition Services
GILS - Government Information Locator Service
HCFA
- Health Care Financial Administration
HIPAA - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
of 1996
ILCs
- Independent Learning Centers
JAMA - Journal of the
American Medical Association
LTC - Long Term Care
MPR - Mathematica Policy Research
MSN - Medicare
Summary Notice
NAC - National Alliance for Caregiving
NAIC - National Aging Information Center
NCEA
- National Center on Elder Abuse
NDIC - National Diabetes
Information Clearinghouse
NFCSP - National Family Caregiver
Support Program
NHO - The National Hospice and Palliative
Care Organization
NIDDK - National Institute of Diabetes
and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
NPE - Nutrition Program
for the Elderly
NSIP - Nutrition Services Incentive Program
OAA - Older Americans Act
OIG - Office of Inspector
General
P&A - Protection and Advocacy Program
PCS
- Personal Care Services
PDF - Portable Document Format
PSA - Planning and Service Areas
RDA - Recommended
Dietary Allowances
RSA - Rehabilitation Services Administration
SCSEP - Senior Community Service Employment Program
SAMHSA
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
SMP - Senior
Medicare Patrols
SPR - State Program Reports
SSA
- Social Security Administration
SUA - State Agency on
Aging
TA - Technical Assistance
UAP - University
Affiliated Programs
USDA - United States Department of
Agriculture
Font Controls
If you have limited or low vision and you require a larger size
font you can specify your font size using your web browser's menu
system. Please follow the set of instructions below that apply to
you.
PC Computers using the Microsoft Internet Explorer
browser:
On the View menu, point to Text Size, and then click the size you
want.
PC Computers using the Netscape browser:
On the View menu, select Increase Font, Keystroke Ctrl+], or Decrease
Font, Keystroke
Ctrl+[.
Apple Computers using the Microsoft Internet
Explorer browser:
On the View menu, point to Text Zoom, and then click the size you
want (Percentage) or you may use Keystroke:Apple "+" to Increase
and Apple "-" to Decrease.
Apple Computers using the
Netscape browser:
On the View menu, select Increase Font, Keystroke: Shift + Apple
+ ], or Decrease Font, Keystroke: Shift + Apple + [.
Help with RSS
What is RSS?
RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is an easy way for you to keep up with your favorite news and information sources without spending time repeatedly browsing or searching for new information. RSS delivers the content you want (a "Feed") directly to you.
If you click an RSS link, you may see XML (eXtensible Markup Lanuage) code in your browser. With most browsers, this is expected.
How Can I Get RSS Feeds?
You can get RSS feeds in two ways:
RSS News Readers
What are RSS Readers?
RSS news readers are small software programs or Web applications that aggregate RSS feeds and display the information. They allow you to scan headlines from hundreds of news sources in a central location.
Where Do I Get an RSS Reader?
A wide range of RSS readers can be easily downloaded from the Web. Some readers are Web-based and others require you to download a small software program onto your desktop. Most are free.
Searching for "RSS readers" will result in a variety of RSS readers to install.
How Do I Use the RSS Feed?
Each reader has a slightly different way of adding a new feed (also called a "channel"). In most cases, here's how it works:
- Open the RSS feed you want to join in a browser window
- From your browser, copy the URL that appears in your address bar of the browser
- Paste that URL into the 'Add New Channel' section of the reader.
You should be all set! The RSS feed will start to display and regularly update the headlines for you.
Browser-based Web Feeds
Some browsers—Internet Explorer 7, Firefox®, and Safari™—allow you to access RSS feeds within your browser. Firefox®, for example, lets you add an RSS feed to your bookmarks or the toolbar using Live Bookmarks. To access the feed, just click the RSS icon, and links to all of the latest information will appear.
To add a Live Bookmark to Firefox®, select the RSS link (marked by  ).
Current as of May 2008
Internet Citation:
Help with RSS. May 2008. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/news/rsshelp.htm
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