Disabilities
In this section of the site, we provide an overview of the most significant conditions and impairments that can adversely impact on an individual's ability to access and use multimedia web and e-learning resources, plus links to further information on each condition or impairment.
We divide these into three categories - Cognitive Impairment, Mobility Impairment and Sensory Impairment.
Category Listing
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Cognitive and Learning Impaired
This term is an extremely broad and admittedly vague term covering any condition or impairment (or combination of conditions), whether temporary or long term, minor or severe, that reduces the brain's ability to obtain, process and understand information.
These impairments may result (in comparison to a supposed norm) in a reduced ability to concentrate, or to read, process, learn, memorise, or retain information. However, in the context of this resource, they are independent of reduced intellectual ability or learning disabilities.
There are many conditions that come under this umbrella term, and often for people with specific learning impairments, little is known about the accessibility barriers they face when accessing web and e-learning resources, and how they may be avoided or reduced. This is particularly the case for people with severe learning disabilities.
This section of the resource provides information on some selected specific cognitive impairments. However, rather than having one impairment in isolation, the vast majority of people with learning and cognitive impairments are likely to face a combination of related access challenges, some of them physical or sensory, resulting from a combination of impairments.
Thus, it's generally of more practical use for web and e-learning developers to be aware of the various barriers that may be encountered by people with cognitive and learning impairments, and how to limit the impact of, or avoid introducing, these barriers, than to acquire a detailed knowledge of each of the many specific conditions and their characteristics.
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Mobility Impairment
This term covers any mobility impairment - temporary or long-term - the result of which impacts on the ability to control a computer. It is unlikely that people who have limited use of, or a loss of the use of their legs will encounter significant barriers relating to their disability when accessing on-line content. However, those whose disability affects the use of their hands may well face access barriers if an on-line resource has not been designed with their needs in mind.
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Sensory Impairment
When we consider sensory impairment and access to the Web and e-learning content, we generally limit this to visual or hearing impairment.
The RNIB uses the term "sight problems" to define anyone with impaired vision or 'sight loss' - this is one of the commonest causes of disability in the UK, and is associated with old age more than any other disability. "Visual impairment" is a broad term that covers a number of specific conditions, each with a particular impact on a person's sight.