Not all disabilities are permanent. Each year, about 5% of Americans experience a short-term disability. This can be due to injury, illness (examples include cancer, asthma, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, gout, and carpal tunnel), pregnancy, situational constraints, or other factors.
The US Chamber of Commerce defines short-term disability as lasting six months or less. During that time, accommodations need to be made since a person’s mobility, cognitive abilities, vision, etc., could be affected.
Considering these temporary limitations in your user experience (UX) design can enhance accessibility and usability for a broader range of users, as it is an important aspect of creating a user-friendly, inclusive user experience (UX).
Here are some key things to include:
Flexible and adaptable input methods
Providing multiple input options like keyboard shortcuts, voice commands, and gestures helps users with temporary motor impairments or injuries that limit their ability to use traditional input devices.
Customizable font sizes and colors
By allowing users to customize text size and color contrast, temporary visual impairments, like eye strain or sensitivity to light, can be mitigated by choosing larger fonts and high-contrast color schemes.
Temporal navigation and progress
It’s beneficial for users who need to take breaks due to health reasons or interruptions to navigate through tasks and save progress easily.
Timeouts and session management
In the spirit of needing breaks, consider extending timeout periods for activities that may take longer for users with temporary cognitive impairments by providing options to save and resume work to accommodate breaks.
Clear and concise instructions
Avoid overwhelming users with excessive information. Keep instructions clear and concise to help users with temporary cognitive impairments.
Error handling and recovery
It’s particularly important for users experiencing cognitive difficulties to have user-friendly error messages and guidance for recovering from errors.
Progressive disclosure
Gradually revealing information and features doesn't overwhelm users with cognitive challenges or fatigue.
Audio feedback and notifications
Assist users with difficulty reading or a temporary visual impairment by providing audio feedback for actions and important notifications.
Mobile responsiveness
Ensure that your design is responsive and works well on multiple devices. This is critical for users needing to switch between devices due to temporary physical limitations.
By considering temporary disabilities in your UX design, you create a more inclusive experience that caters to a diverse user base. This enhances usability for those with temporary limitations and contributes to a more user-friendly interface for everyone.
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