Disabilities, Barriers, and Solutions Flashcards
1
Q
What are assistive technologies?
A
Products, devices, systems, or items used by people with disabilities to perform tasks which they could not do otherwise.
Also called adaptive technologies or adaptive software when used with computers.
2
Q
What are adaptive strategies?
A
Tweaks and adjustments that people with disabilities use to perform daily living activities. They increase independence and ability to participate in society.
3
Q
What are the 9 main categories of disabilities?
A
- Visual
- Auditory
- Deaf-Blindness
- Speech and Language
- Mobility, Flexibility, and Body Structure
- Cognitive
- Seizure
- Psychological
- Multiple/Complex
4
Q
What are visual disabilities?
A
- Some amount of vision loss
- Loss of visual acuity (sharpness)
- Increased or decreased sensitivity to specific or bright colors
- Complete or uncorrectable loss of vision in either or both eyes
5
Q
What is blindness?
A
A sensory disability involving varying degrees of vision loss. Some people are completely blind, others can perceive light vs. dark or general shapes of objects.
6
Q
How many people globally have a vision impairment or blindness?
A
2.2 billion people
Of these, at least 1 billion have a vision impairment that could have been prevented or has yet to be addressed.
7
Q
What are the leading causes of vision impairment globally?
A
Uncorrected refractive errors and cataracts.
8
Q
What age are most people with vision impairment?
A
Over 50 years old.
9
Q
What is color blindness (or Color Vision Deficiency)?
A
A sensory disability where a person may not be able to distinguish certain color combinations.
10
Q
How common is red-green color blindness?
A
1 in 12 males and 1 in 200 females.
11
Q
How common is blue-yellow color blindness?
A
Fewer than 1 in 10,000 worldwide.
12
Q
What is low vision?
A
Uncorrectable vision loss that interferes with daily activities. It is better defined in terms of function, rather than numerical tests. Characteristics can include low vision contrast and difficulty distinguishing certain colors.
13
Q
What percent of people have low vision worldwide?
A
3.5%
14
Q
What percent of people with vision impairments live in low-income settings?
A
90%
15
Q
Barriers for people with Visual Disabilities (10)
A
- Printed materials not available in digital files or braille
- Inadequate lighting
- Sounds interfering with informative sounds
- Non-tactile signs
- Obstacles in path
- No text alternatives
- Text, images, and layouts that cannot be resized or lose information when resized
- Video content with no text or audio alternatives, or audio description
- Insufficient color contrast
- Sites, browsers, and authoring tools that do not work fully when using a keyboard or are unable to customize colors.
16
Q
Accessibility solutions for People with Visual Disabilities in a physical environment (5):
A
- Raised tiles on the ground to indicate the edge of a platform, curb, staircase, etc.
- Eliminate low-hanging architectural features that a person could bump into
- Clear obstructions in hallways and on sidewalks
- Information in Braille on signs and controls (e.g., elevator buttons, code locks, etc.)
- Tactile controls on flat devices like microwaves and dishwashers
17
Q
Accessibility solutions for People with Visual Disabilities in an ICT environment (5):
A
- Provide text alternatives for non-text information
- Make sure graphical design allows for magnification
- Use color combinations with high contrast
- Do not rely on color alone to convey meaning or information
- Standard, consistent positioning and visual presentation of objects
18
Q
Assistive tech for people with vision disabilities (9):
A
- Screen readers
- Audio description
- Screen magnification
- Large print
- GPS-based navigation with an audio interface
- Mobile apps that provide audio descriptions of photographs objects or people
- Software to customize color contrast, color filters, and color themes
- Canes
- Service animals
19
Q
What are auditory disabilities?
A
Sensory disabilities that range from partial to complete hearing loss.
20
Q
What is Deafness?
A
The Total or near total loss of hearing. Some learn Sign Language as their first language, and others never learn sign language (particularly when they lose hearing later in life).
21
Q
What is Hard of Hearing?
A
People with hearing loss ranging from mild to severe who still have some useful hearing. They may communicate through sign language and/or spoken language, with or without amplification. Many use hearing aids.
22
Q
What is Central Auditory Processing Disorder?
A
Greater than expected difficulty hearing and understanding speech even though no measurable hearing loss exists. APD can be confused with other disabilities like ADHD or other language and learning disabilities.
APD is not an inability to hear. It’s an inability to interpret, organize, or analyze what’s heard.
23
Q
How many people have APD globally?
A
5%
24
Q
What are barriers for people with auditory disabilities (8)?
A
- People who speak softly or in large spaces without aids like microphones
- Absence of sign language interpretation
- Loud environments or competing sounds (background noise)
- Conversations, interactions, and meetings where accessing communication from multiple speakers is challenging
- Poor lighting conditions that prevent lip-reading
- Websites and other tech that require voice interaction or listening to engage with content
- Audio in videos and films presented without captions or transcripts
- Media players that do not support captions or options to control volume or customize size and color of captions
25
Solutions for people with auditory disabilities (7):
* Sign language interpretation
* Captions for videos, live online meetings, live presentations
* Text alternatives such as transcripts for audio content
* Provide alternative visual alerts such as lights flashing for doorbells, alarms, and other alerts
* Quiet work environments or the option to work in different settings
* Clear signage for meeting rooms with microphones connected to audio induction loops
* Environments designed with good acoustics and lighting
26
Assistive tech for people with auditory disabilities (10):
* Assistive listening systems and devices in meeting rooms
* Personal listening devices (PLD) to connect with assistive listening systems
* Hearing aids
* Cochlear Implants
* Audio Controls
* Haptic alerts/feedback
* Visual labels / notifications / alerts
* Text-to-speech (TTS) software
* Sound field systems to amplify voices of speakers
* Noise-canceling headphones
27
What is Deaf-Blindness?
A rare sensory disability that includes both deafness and blindness. Touch is the only viable means of complex communication.
28
What percentage of the world's population is Deaf-Blind?
.2 - 2%
29
Barriers for people with Deaf-Blindness (4):
* Lack of printed braille
* Incorrect or incomplete output to a braille keyboard
* Lack of braille transcripts of video or audio
* Lack of tactile sign language interpretation
30
Solutions for people with Deaf-Blindness (3):
* Transcripts of video or audio materials made available in braille
* Tactile sign language interpretation
* Other solutions based on individual needs
31
Assistive Tech for Deaf-Blindness (9):
* Screen reader converting text to braille on a refreshable braille device
* Conversion of transcripts to braille for audio and video
* Printed braille
* Haptic alerts/feedback
* Cane
* Service animals
* Tactile navigation aids
* Tactile sign language interpretation
* Deaf-Blind communicator
32
What are speech and language disabilities?
Language disorders may affect not only speech but also the ability to write, read and understand information.
Speech disorders concern the way people say words and make sounds.
33
What are Speech Sound Disorders?
An umbrella term for difficulties ranging from mild slurred speech to a complete inability to move the mouth to speak.
34
What are Organic Speech Sound Disorders?
Include disorders resulting from motor-neurological disorders including:
* Apraxia (what the person knows what they want to say, but the brain has difficulty planning the movements)
* Dysarthria (difficulty controlling the muscles used to speak)
* Structural deficiencies (cleft lip palate)
* Sensory/perceptual disorders (e.g., hearing loss)
35
What are Functional Speech Sound Disorders?
These disorders do not stem from acquired or developmental disorders and have no known cause. They typically include errors in articulation (clear and distinct sounds) and phonology (sound patterns).
36
What is No Speech?
Mutism, an inability to speak. It can be caused by damage to the brain and/or speech muscles, by emotional or psychological reasons, or by a combination of causes.
37
What is Neurogenic mutism?
Mutism caused by a brain injury.
38
What is Psychogenic mutism?
Where speech loss has psychological rather than neurological causes.
39
What are the three types of psychogenic mutism?
* Elective mutism, where a person chooses not to speak
* Selective mutism, where a person wants to speak but cannot do so in certain situations due to anxiety
* Total mutism, in which a person does not speak at all.
40
What is Aphasia?
A language disorder resulting from neurological damage. It affects all use of language, not just speech, meaning it affects the production or comprehension of speech and the ability to read or write. Aphasia is always due to injury to the brain, most commonly from a stroke. There are multiple types of aphasia.
41
Barriers for people with language and speech disabilities (4):
* Complex communication systems
* Not enough time to communicate, access information, or respond
* Lack of understanding and patience by persons when communicating
* Lack of alternatives for speech communication, such as multimodal or text-based alternatives
42
Solutions for people with language and speech disabilities (4)?
* Simplified communication methods, including multiple options for communication
* Increased understanding, patience, and adaptations
* Additional time to complete tasks
* Providing the option to use text-based alternatives to speech to communicate
43
What is a mobility disability?
Limit independent, purposeful movement of the body or of one or more limbs. Can be permanent or temporary.
44
What are fine motor skills?
Intricate hand and wrist movements needed to manipulate, control, and use objects. Fine motor skills involve coordinated efforts of the brain and muscles.
45
What is ambulation?
The ability to walk from place to place independently with or without an assistive device.
46
What is muscle fatigue?
A common non-specific symptom, often defined as an overwhelming sense of tiredness, lack of energy and feeling of exhaustion, and relates to a difficulty in performing voluntary tasks.
47
What are body size or shape disabilities?
Disabilities that affect a person's stature, proportions or shape. Examples include acromegaly, dwarfism, rheumatoid arthritis, and obesity.
48
Physical environment barriers for people with Mobility, Flexibility, and Body Structure disabilities (10):
* Seating that is too small or at the wrong height
* Appliances and controls that are out of reach
* Narrow walkways, doorways, passages or aisles*
* Tasks that require fine motor skills (round door handles)
* Tasks that require accuracy, like small buttons
* Tasks that require strength, like heavy doors
* High shelves or high counters
* Tables without knee and toe clearance
* Steps, thresholds, and other obstacles to gaining entry to a space
* Body shaming and social discrimination
49
Digital barriers for people with Mobility, Flexibility, and Body Structure disabilities:
* Digital interfaces that require interaction via a specific interface such as keyboard or mouse
* Digital interfaces with small and/or tightly grouped touch targets that are hard to hit accurately
50
Solutions for people with mobility, flexibility, and body structure disabilities (4):
* Universally designed entrances to buildings (level access wide entrances)
* Clearly defined, wide, and unobstructed paths of travel
* Website/app hit areas large enough
* Not placing interactive elements on sites/apps too close to each other
51
Assistive Tech in the physical environment for mobility, flexibility, and body structure (8):
* Walkers, canes, crutches
* Manual and electric wheelchairs, motorized scooters
* Stair lifts, elevators
* Exoskeletons
* Stepladders
* Grab/rail/handlebars
* Reachers
* Touch or voice operated light fixtures
52
Assistive Tech in ICT for mobility, flexibility, and body structure (8):
* Switch devices replacing keyboards or mouses
* Adaptive or customizable keyboards
* Voice control
* Eye tracking
* Speech-to-text software
* Head wand
* Oversized mouse or trackball
* Adjustable position displays
53
What are cognitive disabilities?
Cognitive disabilities can affect one or more mental functions by varying degrees.
54
What are some examples of mental functions (7)?
* Attention
* Memory
* Psychomotor
* Emotional
* Perceptual
* Thought
* Calculation
55
What are examples of internal and external factors of cognitive processes?
Internal - impairments in one or more mental functions
External - information overload, stress, sleep deprivation
56
What are intellectual disabilities?
Significant limitations in intellectual functioning (reasoning, learning, problem solving) and in adaptive behavior, which covers a range of everyday and practical skills.
57
What are the three main criteria for diagnosing intellectual disability in the DSM-V:
* An IQ below 70-75 (deficits in intellectual functions)
* Impairments in adaptive behavior (daily tasks, social and communications skills, etc.)
* The impairments manifest during the developmental years.
58
What 3 skills make up adaptive behavior?
* Conceptual skills (language, reading, managing time, memory)
* Social skills
* Practical skills
59
What is dyslexia?
A learning disability that affects a person's ability to read.
60
What are math and computational disabilities?
Difficulties learning and communicating math.
61
What is dyscalculia?
An inability to understand arithmetic and how to calculate. This disability can be complicated by dysgraphia, an inability to draw or copy figures and graphs, and anxiety.
62
7 common signs of dyscalculia:
* Trouble grasping the meaning of quantities or concepts like biggest vs. smallest
* Understanding that 5 is the same as five, and they both mean five (5) items
* Remembering math facts like times tables
* Counting money or making change
* Estimating time
* Judging speed or distance
* Understanding the logic behind math or holding numbers in their head while solving problems
63
What percentage of people have dyscalculia?
3-6%
64
What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):
Diagnostic criteria for ADHD is made up of two groups of symptoms:
* Inattention/distraction
* Hyperactive/impulsive
65
ADHD inattention/distraction criteria include (4):
* Diminished attention span
* Getting distracted by stimuli from the surroundings
* Difficulty starting, organizing, and finishing tasks such as homework
* Being forgetful, such as forgetting daily activities or losing/misplacing items
66
ADHD hyperactive/impulsive criteria include (5):
* Being restless and having difficulties controlling that sensation
* Having difficulty remaining seated
* Fidgeting
* Having difficulty waiting in turn
* Overly talkative, interrupting conversations
67
What are Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)?
A group of complex brain development disorders that cover a large range of conditions with common characteristics including difficulties in social interaction and communication and restricted and repetitive repertoire of interests and activities. There are 3 levels of severity.
68
What are 3 characteristics of Autism?
* Sensory issues such as sensitivity to sound, smell, light
* Difficulties with verbal and non-verbal communication
* Challenges in social interactions
69
What is a Non-Verbal Learning Disability (NLD)?
Like Asperger Syndrome, in which people with the syndrome have a normal intelligence and language development, but have trouble with social skills, sensory input, and making transitions. Thought to describe the same kind of disorder, but AS describes more severe symptoms.
70
Characteristics of NLD (9):
* Great vocabulary and verbal expression
* Excellent memory skills
* Attention to detail, but missing the big picture
* Poor abstract thinking
* Concrete thinking
* Physical awkwardness, poor coordination
* Poor social skills
* Trouble adjusting to changes
* Anxiety, depression, low self-esteem
71
Web a11y barriers for people with cognitive disabilities (8):
* Finding important information
* Filling out forms
* Managing passwords
* Understanding information
* Understanding and using controls
* Keeping focused
* Information overload, caused by cluttered design or too many text elements
* Time-outs that cause stress and make it difficult to plan
72
General solutions for people with cognitive disabilities (5):
* Allow adequate time to prepare for tasks and take in new information
* Check for understanding and give feedback when communicating
* Minimize background noises
* Provide structure and clear instructions
* Use plain language
73
Physical environment solutions for people with cognitive disabilities (4):
* Rooms or spaces designed to be easy to find
* Design of accessible routes is simple and intuitive
* Signage should be large and clear, easy to understand and in plain language
* Wayfinding should be simple with tactile, graphic, audible, or architectural cues that are easy to follow.
74
ICT solutions for people with cognitive disabilities (6):
* Simplified content
* Simplified distraction-free interfaces
* Provide information through different means - text, audio, images
* Allow adequate time to complete tasks
* Highlight information that is most important for the user
* Enable personalized settings
75
Assistive technologies that support attention and focusing (5):
* Computer-based prompting applications to assist with staying on task
* Productivity apps for organizing tasks
* To-do lists
* Time management apps
* Apps to break down tasks into steps
76
Assistive technologies that support memory (5):
* Audio prompting devices to assist with memory
* Auto-complete
* Password managers
* Audio note-takers and reminders
* Apps providing cues for actions
77
Assistive technologies that support perceptual functions (1)?
Direction-finding apps
78
Assistive technologies that support emotional functions (2):
* Apps for mindfulness and to reduce stress
* Apps for anxiety management and coping strategies
79
Assistive technologies for reading and writing (5):
* Audio books and reading software
* Speech synthesizers / screen readers
* Word prediction / lookup
* Visual / audio alternatives to text in signage, messages, instructions
* Speech-recognition software
80
Assistive technologies for communication (4):
* Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices
* Synchronized speech and highlighting
* Computerized voice output communication aids
* Computer-assisted instruction for word recognition, math, spelling, and social skills used in education
81
What are seizure disabilities?
Occur when a seizure disorder interferes with a person's regular activities. A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain. Seizures can range from mild to severe, including loss of consciousness.
82
What is epilepsy?
If a person has two or more seizures or a tendency to have recurrent seizures, they have epilepsy.
83
How many people have epilepsy globally?
50 million, which means that it is one of the most common neurological diseases.
84
What is photosensitive epilepsy?
A condition in which people have seizures triggered by flashing or flickering lights or patterns.
85
What are the 2 groups of people who have photosensitive epilepsy?
* People who only have seizures triggered by flashing or flickering lights or patterns, and people who have seizures triggered by flashing or flickering lights or patterns but also have seizures at other times.
86
What flicker rates cause seizures?
Most commonly between 16 and 25 per second, but some are sensitive to rates as low as 3 or as high as 60 per second.
87
What kinds of patterns are more likely to trigger seizures?
Patterns with high contrast
88
What percentage of people with epilepsy have photosensitive epilepsy?
3%
89
Barriers for people with seizure disorders (3):
* Activities in which sudden loss of consciousness could cause serious harm such as swimming, driving, or using power tools.
* Moving, blinking, or flickering content in videos, films, websites, and other technologies
* Browsers and media players that do not provide controls to stop or tun off video or animations
90
What are assistive technologies for people with seizure disorders (8):
* Mobile digital diary apps with reminders
* Smart watches that detect seizures and send alerts or provide a GPS location
* Service animals
* Wearables with an alert button to call for help
* Supportive gear and protective wear in case of a fall
* Flicker-free monitors
* Monitor glare guards
* Non-glare glasses
90
What is a web solution for people with seizure disorders?
Web pages that do not contain anything that flashes more than 3 times in any one second period, or the flash is below the general flash and red flash thresholds.
91
What are psychological disabilities?
Affect a person's perceptions, thoughts, feelings, mood and behavior, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and psychotic disorders.
92
What are anxiety disorders, and what are four subtypes?
Anxiety that does not go away and can get worse over time. The symptoms can interfere with daily activities.
* generalized anxiety disorder
* panic disorder
* social anxiety disorder
* phobias
93
What is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and 5 characteristics?
A persistent feeling of anxiety or dread which can interfere with daily life.
*Feeling restless, wound-up, or on edge
* Difficulty concentrating
* Being easily fatigued
* Having sleep problems
* Headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches, or unexplained pains
94
What is panic disorder, and 6 panic attack characteristics?
Frequent and unexpected panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden periods of intense fear, discomfort, or sense of losing control even when there is no clear danger or trigger.
* Pounding or racing heart
* Sweating
* Trembling or tingling
* Chest pain
* Feelings of impending doom
* Feelings of being out of control
95
What is social anxiety disorder, and what are 5 characteristics?
An intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others.
* Feeling very self-conscious and awkward in front of other people
* Blushing, sweating, trembling, rapid heart rate, or feeling like their mind is blank
* Feeling nauseous
* A rigid body posture, little eye contact, or speaking with an overly soft voice.
96
What are mood disorders, and what are 4 examples?
Mood disorders affect a person's emotional state.
* depression
* bipolar disorder
* seasonal affective disorder
* self-harm
97
What is bipolar disorder, and what are 4 symptoms (each) of depression and mania?
A mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings.
Depression:
* lacking energy
* feeling sad, hopeless, or irritable
* difficulty concentrating and remembering things
* difficulty sleeping
Mania:
* feeling full of energy, with great new ideas and important plans
* feeling very happy or overjoyed
* being easily distracted or agitated
* making decisions or saying things that are out of character and that others see as being risky or harmful
Both types of episodes may involve delusions, hallucinations and disturbed or illogical thinking.
98
What are psychotic disorders?
Mental disorders that affect a person's thinking and perceptions. In psychosis, people lose touch with reality. Schizophrenia is one example of a psychotic disorder.
99
Psychotic symptoms can also occur in what other mental disorders or as a result of other issues?
Bipolar disorder, stroke, brain tumors, alcohol, or drug addiction.
100
What are the two main symptoms of psychosis?
Delusions (believing things that are not true) and hallucinations (hearing, seeing, or feeling things that are not true).
101
How common is schizophrenia worldwide?
Occurs in 1 in 300 people.
102
What are 5 barriers for people with psychological disabilities?
* Limited availability and affordability of mental healthcare services
* Lack of knowledge among healthcare providers for accurate diagnoses and treatment
* Social stigma
* Lack of support for cognitive challenges
* Lack of support at school
103
What are 6 assistive technologies for people with psychological disabilities?
many solutions for people with cognitive disabilities can also benefit people with psychological disabilities:
* Apps for mood, stress, and anxiety management
* Memory aids
* Text-to-speech software
* Reminder devices
* Voice recognition software
* Noise monitoring devices
104
What are multiple/complex disabilities?
When more than one disability is present within a person at the same time.
105
What are 5 solutions for multiple/complex disabilities?
* Programmable keyboards
* Writing support tools
* Communication aids
* Text-to-braille translation software
* Other types of adaptive equipment
106
What are 3 general limitations in the collection of statistical data on disabilites?
* Details about different disabilities are usually not included in census surveys
* Disability terminology varies between countries
* Many people with disabilities have more than one disability and end up between defined groups
107
How many people experience significant disability?
at least 1.3 Billion
108
Some persons with disabilities can die up to ___ years earlier than those without disabilities?
20
109
Persons with disabilities have _____ times the risk of developing conditions such as depression, asthma, diabetes, stroke, obesity, or poor oral health.
2
110
Persons with disabilities find transportation ___ times more difficult than for those without disabilities
15
