Learning Disabilities and Universal Design
There are roughly 40 million people with some form of learning or cognitive impairment. Do you know what kinds of issues they face when using the web?
Cognitive disabilities cover a wide spectrum —from Down Syndrome to Dyslexia. As a result, they are the least understood and the least discussed in terms of web accessibility, however, the principles and practice of universal design will benefit people with cognitive impairment.
For the most part there are no assistive technologies to aide people with cognitive impairment, making universal or accessible design all the more important. For example, maintaining a consistent layout throughout the site and avoiding flashing text makes web navigation easier for people with learning disabilities. People without learning disabilities will find the site easier to navigate, too.
Get Started with Accessible Design
Here are a few things to help your institution get started with accessibility
- Avoid animation and movement unless it provides additional information
- Do not include content that flashes faster than 3 times per second
- Focus users attention with visual cues
- Notify users of time limits
- Use clear and simple writing
- Use white space to separate text passages
For more information or additional tips:
Illinois Information Technology Accessibility Act
iCITA Information Technology Accessibility Best Practices
Browse the videos to hear first-hand accounts from people with hearing impairments and to view see demos of assistive technologies.
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Working Together: Computers and People with Learning Disabilities Windows Media Player |