Understanding Our Goal

We want to ensures that our website content is functional and inclusive for every user. We do this in-part by addressing the four fundamental ways people experience a digital interface:

✓ Perceive: 

Information must be presented in a way that users can sense. This means providing alternatives like text descriptions for images or captions for video, ensuring that those who cannot see or hear the content can still receive the information through other senses, such as touch (braille) or sound (screen readers).

✓ Understand: 

The interface and the information it contains must be clear and predictable. Content should be written in plain language, and the navigation should follow a consistent logic so that users with cognitive or learning disabilities can comprehend the message and know how to use the site without confusion.

✓ Navigate: 

Users must be able to move through the site easily, regardless of how they access it. Whether someone is using a mouse, a keyboard, or voice commands, they need a clear path to find what they are looking for and a way to bypass repetitive content.

✓ Interact: 

This focuses on the ability to perform actions, such as clicking buttons, filling out forms, or using tools. Interactive elements must be designed with enough space and clear feedback so that individuals with motor impairments or those using assistive technologies can complete tasks successfully.

Disability Types Defined

Broadening the definition of disability acknowledges that barriers to access can affect anyone depending on their physical state or immediate environment. By designing for this full spectrum, you ensure that digital content remains functional for people in any circumstance.

1. Permanent Disability

A permanent disability refers to a long-term condition, such as total vision loss, hearing loss or a limb difference, that requires consistent assistive solutions. 

2. Temporary Disability

A temporary disability involves a short-term impairment, like a broken arm in a cast or recovering from eye surgery, where a user’s typical way of interacting is temporarily restricted. 

3. Situational Disability

A situational disability occurs when a person's environment limits their abilities—for instance, a parent holding a crying infant with one hand, or a student trying to watch a video in a loud library without headphones.