Creating an accessible environment begins with understanding disability. Disabilities can be visible or invisible and impact individuals in different ways. This guide provides an overview of disability types, common barriers, and best practices for fostering accessibility.
What is Disability?
Disability is a broad term encompassing physical, sensory, cognitive, and psychological conditions that may impact an individual’s ability to perform certain tasks or interact with digital and physical environments.
Types of Disabilities
Visual Disabilities
- Blindness, low vision, color blindness.
- Users may rely on screen readers, magnification tools, or high-contrast settings.
Hearing Disabilities
- Deafness, hard of hearing.
- Captions, transcripts, and sign language interpretation support accessibility.
Mobility and Motor Disabilities
- Conditions affecting movement, such as paralysis or arthritis.
- Users may navigate digital content using keyboard shortcuts, voice commands, or assistive devices.
Cognitive and Learning Disabilities
- Dyslexia, ADHD, autism, intellectual disabilities.
- Simple, structured content and assistive reading tools improve accessibility.
Speech Disabilities
- Stuttering, conditions affecting verbal communication.
- Text-based communication options like chat or email can support accessibility.
Common Barriers to Accessibility
- Lack of alternative text for images.
- Uncaptioned videos or missing transcripts.
- Inaccessible websites and documents (poor keyboard navigation, lack of structure).
- Low color contrast, making text difficult to read.
- Fast-paced or complex content can be challenging for some users.
Additional Training and Learning Resources
- Disability Awareness and Inclusion (2h 15m) [LinkedIn Learning]
- Designing for Accessibility and Inclusion (1h 50m) [LinkedIn Learning]
- Understanding Neurodiversity in the Workplace (1h 45m) [LinkedIn Learning]
- ISU Digital Accessibility Team Support: digitalaccess@iastate.edu