Domain One B/C: Categories and Characteristics of Disabilities, Associated Barriers, and Solutions

Assistive Technologies

Products, devices, systems, or items used by people with disabilities to perform tasks which they could not do otherwise.

User Agents

Graphical desktop browsers, text browsers, voice browsers, multimedia players, and plug-ins that produce outputs that assistive technology relies on

Adaptive Strategies

Tweaks and adjustments that people with disabilities use to perform daily living activities.

• some amount of vision loss

• loss of visual acuity (sharpness)

• increased or decreased sensitivity to specific or bright colors

• complete or uncorrectable loss of vision in either or both eyes.

Visual disabilities are sensory disabilities that include:

Blindness

Sensory disability involving some vision loss, nearly complete vision loss, and complete vision loss.

Color vision deficiency

Sensory disability where a person may not be able to distinguish certain color combinations.

Red and green

The most common form of color vision deficiency affects a person's ability to distinguish this color combination

Low vision

Uncorrectable vision loss that interferes with daily activities. It is better defined in terms of function, rather than numerical test results.

- Magnification to read or discern other details

- high contrast text and graphics

Assistive tech and adaptive strategies someone with low vision may use

- Provide text alternatives for non-text information.

- Make sure graphical design allows for magnification.

- Use color combinations with high contrast.

- Do not rely on color alone to convey meaning or information.

- Standard, consistent positioning and visual presentation of objects

Accessibility accommodations for people with vision impairments

Hard-of-hearing people (HOH)

Refers to people with hearing loss ranging from mild to severe who still have some useful hearing.

Deafness

Total or near total loss of hearing

Central auditory processing disorder

Greater than expected difficulty hearing and understanding speech, even though no measurable hearing loss exists. It's an inability to interpret, organize, or analyze what's heard. The hearing pathway works well, but parts of the brain do not.

- Sign language interpretation

- CART or STTR accurate & usable captions for videos

- live online meetings, live presentations

- Text alternatives such as transcripts for audio content

- For doorbells, alarms and other alerts: Provide alternative visual alerts, such as lights that flash, pulse, dim, or turn on and off

- Quiet work environments or the option to work in different settings

- Clear signage for meeting rooms with microphones connected to audio induction loops

- Environments designed with good acoustics and lighting

Solutions for people with auditory disabilities

- Assistive listening systems and devices in meeting rooms and auditoria

- Personal listening devices (PLD) to connect with assistive listening systems

- Hearing aids

- Cochlear implants

- Audio controls

- Haptic alerts / feedback

- Visual labels / notifications / alerts

- Text-to-speech (TTS) software

- Sound field systems to amplify voices of speakers (e.g. teachers in a classroom)

- Noise-canceling headphones

Assistive tech for auditory disabilities

Deaf-blindness

Sensory disability that includes both deafness and blindness. Most people are not completely deaf nor completely blind and retain some hearing and sight capability.

- For materials such as books, menus and navigation aids, lack of printed braille

- For websites and other technologies, incorrect or incomplete output to a braille keyboard

- Lack of braille transcripts of video or audio materials

- Lack of tactile sign language interpretation

Barriers for deaf blindeness

- Transcripts of video or audio materials made available in braille

- Tactile sign language interpretation

- Other solutions based on the individual needs

Solutions for people with deaf blindness

- Screen reader converting text to braille on a refreshable braille device

- For audio and video: conversion of transcripts to braille

- Printed braille

- Haptic alerts/feedback

- Cane

- Service animals

- Tactile navigation aids

- Tactile sign language interpretation

- Deaf-Blind communicator

Assistive tech for deaf-blindness

Organic speech sound disorders

Category of disabilities including slurred or slow speech, making inconsistent speech errors, distorting sounds, errors in tone, stress, or rhythm. Includes apraxia of speech, dysarthria, structural deficiencies, sensory/perceptual disorders

Functional speech sound disorders

A category of disorders that typically include errors in articulation (clear and distinct sounds) and phonology (sound patterns).

No Speech

Is the inability to speak. It can be caused by damage to the brain and / or speech muscles, by emotional or psychological reasons, or by a combination of causes.

Elective mutism

Person chooses not to speak

Selective mutism

Person wants to speak but cannot do so in certain situations due to anxiety

Total mutism

A person does not speak at all

Aphasia

A language disorder, affecting the production or comprehension of speech and the ability to read or write. Always due to injury to the brain, most commonly from a stroke, particularly in older individuals. But brain injuries may also arise from head trauma, from brain tumors, or from infections."

- Complex communication systems

- Not enough time to communicate, access information or respond

- Lack of understanding and patience by persons when communicating, such as in different service-based contexts

- Lack of alternatives for speech communication, such as multimodal or text-based alternatives.

Barriers for people with language and speech disabilities

- Simplified communication methods, including multiple options for communication

- Increased understanding, patience and adaptations by persons when communicating

- Additional time to complete tasks

- Providing the option to use text-based alternatives to speech to communicate

Solutions for people with language and speech disabilities

- Producing speech: Text-to-speech programs or Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices.

- Screen readers

- Keyboards with speech-generating functionalities

- Electronic communication boards with symbols or images

- Voice carryover

- Programs with writing templates, organizational tools, word prediction and spell checkers.

- Speech-to-text programs.

- Speech apps to allow learners to practice their sounds, sentences, and phrases

Assistive tech for people with language and speech disabilities

Mobility impairment

Physical impairments that limit independent, purposeful physical movement of the body or of one or more limbs.

Manual Dexterity/Fine Motor Control

Intricate hand and wrist movements needed to manipulate, control, and use objects, produce neat, legible handwriting, and dress independently.

Ambulation

The Nursing Outcomes Classification defines it as the ability to walk from place to place independently with or without an assistive device.

Muscle Fatigue

According to the US National Institutes of Health, this is a common non-specific symptom experienced by many people and is associated with many health conditions.

Body Size or Shape

Disabilities caused by disorders that affect a person's stature, proportions or shape. Examples include acromegaly, dwarfism, rheumatoid arthritis, and obesity.

- Seating that is too small, or at the wrong height.

- Appliances and controls that are out of reach or require touch instead of voice commands.

- Narrow walkways, doorways, passages, or aisles

- Tasks that require fine motor skills, like small or round door handles

- Tasks that require accuracy, like small buttons, switches, or dials

- Tasks that require strength, like heavy doors

- High shelves or high counters

- Tables without knee and toe clearance

- Products and equipment that require a standing position or are difficult to reach or manipulate, such as automatic teller machines (ATMs), health care, or workplace equipment that is not accessible.

- Steps, thresholds, and other obstacles to gaining entry to a space.

- Body shaming and social discrimination.

Barriers for People with Mobility, Flexibility, and Body Structure Disabilities

- Universally designed entrances to buildings (level access, wide entrances)

- Clearly defined, wide and unobstructed paths of travel

- Ensuring that clickable areas on a website/app are big enough to hit

- Not placing interactive elements on a website/app too close to each other

- Ensuring that objects in the physical environment provides enough space and size for reach and use regardless of the user's body size, posture or mobility

Solutions for People with Mobility, Flexibility, and Body Structure Disabilities Accessibility

Cognitive processes

The ways a person takes in and interprets information.

Intellectual Disabilities

Characterized by significant limitations in (reasoning, learning, problem solving) and in adaptive behavior, which covers a range of everyday social, conceptual, and practical skills.

- The person has deficits in intellectual functions. Typically, a person with intellectual disability has an IQ below 70-75.

- The person has impairments in adaptive behaviour. These include skills needed to independently manage daily tasks including social skills, communication skills, and skills needed to manage school or work.

- The impairments manifest during the developmental years (in childhood). If similar conditions appeared after a head trauma in adulthood, the diagnoses would be different.

The three main criteria for diagnosing intellectual disability in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

Reading and Dyslexia

A learning disability that affects a person's ability to read. These individuals typically read at levels significantly lower than expected despite having normal intelligence. (Thought to be one of the most common language-based learning disabilities)

Math and Computation (dyscalculia and dysgraphia)

Impact a person's ability to learn and communicate math. One involves an inability to understand arithmetic and how to calculate. This disability can be complicated by another, an inability to draw or copy figures and graphs, and anxiety. May be present from birth or result from an injury, disease, or aging.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Made up of two groups of symptoms: inattention / distraction and hyperactive / impulsive.

Autism Spectrum Disorders

The World Health Organisation defines it as a group of complex brain development disorders. They cover a large range of conditions with common characteristics including difficulties in social interaction and communication and a restricted and repetitive repertoire of interests and activities.

- Restrictions in social communication and social interaction. The deficits must be present in different contexts, such as at home as well as in school or at work. This could present as difficulty engaging in conversations or making friends.

- Repetitive behaviours such as following strict routines or making repetitive movements.

The two main criteria for diagnosing autism spectrum disorders

Non-Verbal Learning Disability

People with the syndrome have normal intelligence and language development but have trouble with social skills, sensory input, and making transitions. Causes significant difficulties with visual-spatial skills, social communication (like understanding body language, facial expressions, social cues), coordination, math, and executive functions (planning, organizing), despite often having strong verbal skills and average intelligence, leading to challenges with understanding the "big picture" and relating to others. It's characterized by a gap between strong verbal abilities and weaker nonverbal processing, affecting academics, motor skills, and social interactions

In the context of web accessibility, challenges include:

- Finding important information

- Filling out forms

- Managing passwords

- Understanding information

- Understanding and using controls

- Keeping focused

- Information overload, caused by cluttered design or too many text elements

- Time-outs that cause stress and make it difficult to plan

Barriers for People with Cognitive Disabilities

- Allow adequate time to prepare for tasks and take in new information

- In communications: check for understanding and give feedback

- Minimize background noises to support concentration e.g. while completing a task or communicating

- Provide structure and clear instructions in education and work environments

- Use plain language or easy-to-read Accessibility

Solutions for People with Cognitive Disabilities in general

- Physical Environment

- Key rooms or spaces are designed to be easy to find

- Design of accessible routes is simple and intuitive

- Signage should be large and clear, easy to understand and in plain language

- Wayfinding should be simple with tactile, graphic, audible or architectural cues that are easy to follow.

Solutions for People with Cognitive Disabilities in physical environment

- Simplified content

- Simplified distraction-free interfaces

- Provide information through different means - text, audio, images

- Allow adequate time to complete tasks

- Highlight information that is most important for the user

- Enable personalized settings (e.g. for layout, time management, content)

Solutions for People with Cognitive Disabilities in ICT

- Computer-based prompting applications to assist with staying on task

- Task management apps for breaking down tasks into steps

- Auto-complete for web-based forms

- Password managers

- Audio note-takers and reminders

- Apps/technology providing cues for actions

- Apps for mindfulness and to reduce stress and anxiety management

- Audio books and reading software

- Speech synthesizers / screen readers

- Word prediction / lookup

- Visual / audio alternatives to text in signage, messages, instructions o Speech-recognition software

- Computer-assisted instruction for word recognition, math, spelling, and social skills to be used in education

Assitive tech that supports people with cognitive disabilities and support mental function

non-verbal learning disability, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, math and computation, reading and dyslexia, intellectual disabilities

Types of cognitive disabilities (6)

Seizure Disabilities

Occur when a seizure disorder interferes with a person's regular activities. Seizures can range from mild to severe, including loss of consciousness.

general seizure disorders and photosensitive epilepsy

Types of seizure disorders (2)

manual dexterity/fine motor control, muscle fatigue, ambulation, body size or shape

types of mobility, flexibility, and body structure disabilities (4)

speech sound disorders, organize speech sound disorders, functional speech sound disorders, no speech, aphasia

types of speech and language disabilities (5)

deafness, hard of hearing, central auditory processing disorder

types of auditory disabilities (3)

blindness, color vision deficiency, low vision

types of visual disabilities (3)

General Seizure Disorders

A sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain. It can cause changes in behavior, movements, or feelings, and in levels of consciousness.

Photosensitive Epilepsy

Is a condition in which people have seizures triggered by flashing or flickering lights or patterns. There are 2 groups of people who have it: people who only have seizures triggered by flashing or flickering lights, or patterns (sometimes called pure photosensitivity), and people who have seizures triggered by flashing or flickering lights or patterns but also have seizures at other times.

- Activities in which a sudden loss of consciousness could cause serious harm, such as swimming, taking a bath, or using power tools.

- Moving, blinking, or flickering content in videos, films, websites, and other technologies.

- Web browsers and media players that do not provide controls to stop or turn off video or animations

Barriers for People with Seizure Disorders

- Mobile digital diary apps with reminders

- Smart watches that detect seizures and send alerts or provide GPS location

- Service animals

- Wearables with an alert button to call for help

- Supportive gear and protective wear in case of a fall

- Flicker-free monitors

- Monitor glare guards

- Non-glare glasses

Assistive tech for people with seizure disorders

generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, mood disorders, bipolar disorder

types of psychological disabilities (6)

Psychological Disabilities

Different types of mental ill-health disorders which affect a person's perceptions, thoughts, feelings, mood and behavior.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Involves a persistent feeling of anxiety or dread that can interfere with daily life.

Panic Disorder

Have frequent and unexpected panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden periods of intense fear, discomfort, or a sense of losing control, even when there is no clear danger or trigger.

Social Anxiety Disorder

an intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others.

Mood Disorder

Affects a person's emotional state. Emotions may fluctuate between extreme sadness and extreme happiness or there may be prolonged periods of sadness and loss of interest in activities that were previously enjoyable.

Bipolar Disorder

A mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings

Psychotic Disorders

Mental disorders that affect a person's thinking and perceptions. In psychosis, people lose touch with reality.

- Limited availability and affordability of mental healthcare services

- Lack of knowledge among healthcare providers for accurate diagnoses and treatment

- Social stigma

- Lack of support for cognitive challenges

- Students: lack of support for emotional, behavioural and/or cognitive challenges at school.

Barriers for People with Psychological Disabilities

- Apps with mood, stress, and anxiety management functions

- Memory aids

- Text-to-speech software

- Reminder devices

- Voice recognition software

- Noise monitoring devices

Solutions for People with Psychological Disabilities

Multiple/Complex Disabilities

Are when more than one disability is present within a person at the same time.

deaf-blindness as it has its own category

Exception in the US for multiple/complex disabilities

- Programmable keyboards

- Writing support tools

- Communication aids

- Text-to-braille translation software

Solutions for Multiple/Complex Disabilities