Designing for Disability accessibility:
The whole point of technology is to make our lives easier. It helps us save time and effort so we can focus on what’s really important in life rather than on the mundane tasks we need to complete.
While it could be difficult to completely eliminate barriers because of the specific needs of people with particular disabilities, there is definitely room for improvement in terms of making the Internet more user friendly for those with impairments.
When designing for accessibility, it’s important to consider the wide range of disabilities that users may have. Here’s what these disabilities might look like.
| Disability type | Permanent considerations | Temporary considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Visual impairments | Partial or total blindness, color blindness, vision issues | Temporary vision-related issues (e.g. blurred vision, light sensitivity, eye patch) due to eye strain or medical conditions |
| Auditory impairments | Deafness, hearing-related issues | Temporary hearing loss due to ear infections, injury, or medical procedures |
| Motor impairments | Physical disabilities, limited mobility | Temporary physical limitations due to injuries, surgeries, or recovery from medical conditions |
| Cognitive impairments | Learning disabilities, attention disorders | Temporary cognitive difficulties due to medication, concussion, or recovery from illness |
| Neurological impairments | Epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, neurological disorders | Migraine, dizziness, nausea |
| Situational impairments | N/A | Temporary situational limitations like holding a baby, limited mobility due to injury, or a noisy environment |
Visual impairments
People with partial or total blindness, color blindness, and other vision-related issues. Users may also experience temporary vision-related issues due to eye strain, eye surgery, or other conditions. This can include blurred vision, sensitivity to light, or needing an eye patch.
Auditory impairments
People who are deaf or hard of hearing, and those with other hearing-related issues. Users may have temporary hearing loss due to ear infections, injury, or recovery from medical procedures. They may rely on captions or transcripts to understand audio content during this period.
Motor impairments
People with physical disabilities, such as those who use a wheelchair or have limited mobility in their hands. Users may have temporary physical limitations due to injuries, surgeries, or recovering from medical conditions. This can impact their ability to use a mouse or keyboard.
Cognitive impairments
People with learning disabilities, attention disorders, and other cognitive impairments that affect their ability to process information. Users may experience temporary cognitive difficulties due to medication, concussion, or recovery from an illness. During this time, they may have trouble with memory, concentration, or information processing.
Neurological impairments
People with conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological disorders that affect their ability to use products and services. Migraine and dizziness from a concussion can be a temporary type of neurological impairment, too.
Situational impairments
People may face temporary situational limitations, such as holding a baby, having limited mobility due to a broken arm, or being in a noisy environment. These factors can affect their ability to interact with your product.