March is the month that raises awareness of many different health-related themes, including Cerebral Palsy. Raising awareness about Cerebral Palsy encompasses learning about the condition and how accommodations to improve digital and physical access can assist individuals and enhance their quality of life.
Cerebral Palsy can limit an individual’s ability to engage in activities of daily living. In the digital age, individuals can work, shop, network professionally and socialize online, along with virtual reality experiences, all changing how individuals can accommodate each other and the growing need for digital accessibility. This article will examine relevant digital adaptations for Cerebral Palsy.
As defined by the Centers for Disease Control, Cerebral Palsy can refer to many types of the nervous system or motor skills disorders. This disability is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain. Most individuals with Cerebral Palsy will have nervous system issues. Symptoms and associated accommodations will vary between individuals.
Individuals can range from having nearly full mobility and possible issues with walking or handling objects to requiring lifelong care and assistance. Symptoms can change over a person’s life, and needed accommodations may also vary. Visible signs can include muscle weakness that affects mobility.
Cerebral Palsy often is accompanied by developmental disorders, cognitive and learning disabilities, seizures, or issues with speech, hearing and vision. These disabilities are also associated with congenital disabilities or developmental disorders that affect the brain. The most severe forms of Cerebral Palsy may result in paralysis of the legs (paraplegia), paralysis below the neck (quadriplegia) or the inability to talk or speak.
Individuals with Cerebral Palsy have varied symptoms. Therefore, requested accommodations may differ depending on the severity of an individual’s condition. Maintaining ADA compliance for physical buildings will accommodate individuals who utilize assistive devices. Some individuals may have mobility aids, potentially including but not limited to canes, crutches, walkers or wheelchairs. With limited mobility, walking may be more difficult, if not impossible.
Make sure an alternate route with barrier-free access is available. Ensure wayfinding and navigation aids are visible and usable or provide assistance with these tasks if necessary. Some individuals may have assistance or service animals, depending on their needs. For further legal information consulting the Accessibility.com Americans with Disabilities Act summary page may be helpful. An accommodating workplace policy ensures that a disability does not overshadow an individual’s ability to contribute positively or participate.
Cerebral Palsy affects the brain and some individuals may be prone to seizures. Limiting seizure triggers may be a worthwhile adaptation to explore. Proper accessible website design requirements prohibit flashing content that can cause a seizure. On a personal device, desktop visual effects are controlled by system-wide settings and it may be advisable to disable or modify effect timing if the device is used by someone who may have trouble with advanced visual or strobe effects for any reason, including lack of dexterity or visual issues.
When thinking about digital accessibility, physical or software based modifications to equipment or software that interfaces with alternative devices may be required to allow an individual to utilize a digital device effectively.
Most suggestions encompass technology and adaptive resources constantly changingthat constantly change as improvements are released. The main obstacle found in accommodation for this disability is in specialized adaptive software, hardware and tools that can be difficult to find, rare or expensive since there may be a low overall demand for specialized adaptive tools.
Some products that adapt or replace common interface devices, such as keyboards or mice, may have to be custom-made. Therefore, linked articles focusing on free and open source products, 3D printing resources, and other resources can assist in acquiring products or making decisions about feasible accommodations.
With limited motion, some individuals with Cerebral Palsy may have trouble using a standard keyboard or mouse. Alternative controls, such as switches or joysticks, can often be installed and configured with the operating system or manufacturer-provided drivers and software. These peripherals emulate keyboard input or mouse movement by using the alternative interface. Consult the device manufacturer for more information or specific device software or drivers.
Software or system features that do not require a device can be installed or enabled within an operating system to enable features that adapt or accommodate needs, including low vision, magnification, contrast or different device use.
This article is not an exhaustive list of informational resources or all possible configuration changes that can be made. For more information, see the article Free and Open Source Applications for Accessibility. Keyboard tools can benefit alternate human interface devices, a modified keyboard layout or an input device. Modifications to hardware or alternative devices may be possible through 3D printing, which is examined further in the article Free and Open Source Applications for Accessibility.
While no cure for Cerebral Palsy exists and treatments may ease symptoms, accommodations provide the best way to improve quality of life. New and ever changing digital offerings provide accessible alternatives that may provide access to communication and community. Adaptations and accommodations can be made in order to give individuals a more prosperous life experience and enable access to various offline and online resources.