According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, a person is considered to have a disability if he or she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the
- major life activities
- seeing
- hearing
- speaking
- lifting and carrying
- using stairs
- walking
- activities of daily living
- getting around inside the home
- getting in or out of a bed or chair
- bathing
- dressing
- eating
- toileting
- instrumental activities of daily living
- going outside the home
- keeping track of money or bills
- preparing meals
- doing light housework
- using the telephone
This definition was created to determine non-discrimination and public assistance policies.
But in terms of how accessibility affects those who use computers, the definition can be
broadened to include children, whose mental and motor skills have not fully developed,
those with temporary disabilities, and older people whose physical, mental, and motor skills
may be temporarily or permanently affected by varying degrees of impairment. And, even further,
people operating under time constraints, people with repetitive stress injuries, near or
farsighted people not wearing
corrective lenses, the colorblind, and international users are likely to appreciate attention
given to accessibility.
Of the 20 million Americans aged 15 and over with work disabilities, 2.3 million use the
internet either at home or elsewhere (Kaye, H.S. Computer and Internet Use Among People with
Disabilities. Disability Statistics Report (13). Washington DC: U.S. Department of Education,
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. 2000). This is a significant
number of users whose needs are not being considered often enough as we design software and
websites. This oversight not only affects disabled users but also prevents many companies
and agencies from reaching the audiences that may be most interested in their information
and products. And as we broaden the definition of "disabled" to include the groups mentioned
above, it is clear that designing with accessibility in mind is really part of usable design
for everyone.
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