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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 PDF Version
  • HTML HTML Version
  • Microsoft Word 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:

  1. 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
  2. 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

Acrobat Toolbar

For more information on Adobe® Acrobat® or to get the free plug-in please click on the Adobe® link below.

Get Adobe Acrobat

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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:

  • AVI
  • MOV
  • MPG
  • RAM

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.
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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.

Site layout diagram of the Homepage

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.

Site layout diagram of a Content Level Page

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.

Site layout diagram of a Wide-Content Content Level Page

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.

Site layout diagram of a 2-Column Content Level Page

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.

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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.

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AoA Sites

Also available for interest are these sites that are sponsored by the Administration on Aging:

Health & Human Services Related Sites:
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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

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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 + [.


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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 rss icon).

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


  Last Updated Last Modified: 10/7/2008 11:07:58 AM  
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