Understanding the people who use websites or apps allows for the creation of better and more-compliant experiences for them. Business owners and website or app operators might be surprised to learn that cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability in childhood, affecting around 764,000 people in the United States.
To provide more-accessible and even safer experiences, here are three things you must know.
1. People access the same information in different ways
Many people with disabilities use assistive technologies to navigate and consume digital content. To be compliant with laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act and standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), content must work with the various technologies individuals use.
ADAPT Community Network says "Assistive Technology finds solutions to enable individuals to adapt to their environment with a wide range of options." ADAPT, who celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2017, operates ADAPT TechWorks Centers that specialize in providing devices and services to people with disabilities.
Cerebral palsy affects individuals' movement and posture. As high as 85% of children with cerebral palsy have "spastic" cerebral palsy, which "means their muscles are stiff, and as a result, their movements can be awkward," according to 11 Things to Know about Cerebral Palsy (CDC).
Operating devices with fine and precise movements can therefore be a challenge for many, who might use tools like switches, adaptive keyboards, or eye-gazers to make selections. Access to information is critical for employment, education, and all aspects of independent living, and the rights of individuals who use these kinds of technologies are protected by law.
Digital accessibility subject matter experts can test digital material and provide recommendations to make sure it is usable by people with disabilities.
2. About 40% of children with cerebral palsy also have epilepsy
Many people with cerebral palsy, although certainly not all, also have related conditions. Commonly, that includes epilepsy, as around 4 in 10 children with cerebral palsy also have epilepsy, according to 11 Things to Know about Cerebral Palsy (CDC).
WCAG requires that content is not designed in ways that can cause seizures or physical reactions. Designing safe and compliant experiences for many individuals with cerebral palsy, therefore, means being aware of and avoiding content types that can trigger seizures.
Digital accessibility subject matter experts can provide guidance on the specific elements and thresholds that would generally make content safe. Typically, anything that flashes, blinks, strobes, or plays automatically and can't be turned off should be avoided or modified.
3. Consider alternatives for commands that require speech
Some individuals with cerebral palsy might also have limited or impaired speech. In many instances, they may use various forms of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), which are devices, systems, or gestures that supplement or replace oral speech.
Designing inclusive digital experiences for many individuals with cerebral palsy also means providing alternatives to voice-only commands or interactions. If a website or app features voice controls, provide options for other kinds of input. Sometimes, the solutions aren't necessarily high-tech, they just need to be available. For example, if phone is the only method of contacting a business, this can exclude some individuals from the service, an issue that online chat, email, or a robust frequently-asked-questions page might help solve.
Comments