in different forms They can be visible or hidden They can be permanent, corrective or temporary They can be born, acquired or developmental § Vision § Hearing § Motor § Cognitive
2012 Foolproof Limited § Disabilities can be acquired through injury, accident, illness or genetic inheritance § Disabilities are not homogeneous, they: • may not have the same condition, • may not communicate the same way, • may not use the same tools, • may have different preference
Limited Denial Acceptance Anger Bargaining Depression “This is not real” “its not that serious” Stage 1: Denial “Why me?” “This is not fair!!!” Stage 2: Anger “OK, maybe this is temporary” “I’ll seek a second opinion” Stage 3: Bargaining “I’m doomed L” “I’m hopeless” Stage 4: Depression “OK, I’ll get on with it” “It’s not the end of the world” Stage 5: Acceptance
Sudden change • Takes longer to learn • Comparing to the mental model during the abled days • Frustrated, angry, lack of patience, feeling hopeless etc § Gradual change • Unaware of the gradual development of disability • Start preparing and learning new ways to live • Trying to do as much as possible while they can • Swing between “abled” and “disabled”
Limited § People who were born disabled may: • Go through formal training and education • Be well connected with the community § While people with an acquired disability may: • Go through stages of grief • Take a long time before they are ready to learn new ways to live • Find learning challenging depending on age, motivation and personality Give up on life Learn to be independent Rely on others
§ Not everyone with a disability considers themselves disabled § They may not be aware or even associate themselves with the features Preferences § Everyone has a preference § You don’t have to be disabled to use accessibility features § Users are more likely to try out the feature
by default § Users are more likely to use it if its readily available § It helps educate users that such functionality exists § People with no disabilities may find it suits their preference Hidden under accessibility page § Users have to find it § Users may not aware it exists § It is technically accessible but not usable
2012 Foolproof Limited § What is BS8878? • British standard to outline a framework for web accessibility when designing or commissioning web products. • 16 step process in creating accessible web products § Step 7: Consider the degree of user-experience the web product will aim to provide • Technically accessible • Usable • Satisfying or enjoyable