Web accessibility for people with disabilities
This background reading is relevant to all University of Exeter web editors, and describes various situations that can be alleviated by web accessibility practices.
The specifics of how to implement these practices are not covered here. Web editors using University-supported web editing platforms will cover that material as part of their training.
For further details, please refer to supported and unsupported web editing platforms.
Overview
UK web accessibility legislation makes provision for the following disabilities, which are briefly described here in terms of how they can affect web access. The possibility of an individual being affected by more than one disability at the same time should also be recognised.
See also: web accessibility for neurodivergence.
Blindness or limited/impaired vision
The person may:
- not be able to see the screen entirely, clearly or at all
- have a visual processing disorder
- have colour blindness.
Deafness or limited/impaired hearing
The person may:
- not be able to hear audio at sufficient volume, clearly or at all
- have difficulty hearing sounds at certain pitches
- have difficulty distinguishing sounds such as voices from background noise
- have an auditory processing disorder.
Limited movement, motor control or dexterity
The person may not be able to use a keyboard, mouse and/or touchscreen easily, accurately or at all.
Speech impairments
The person may not be able to verbally communicate with others easily, clearly or at all.
Cognitive disabilities
The person may have a condition which affects learning, memory, attention and/or comprehension.
Neurological conditions
In some people, seizures and migraines can be neurologically triggered by rapid or extreme changes in light, pattern or colour on a digital screen.
Assistive technologies
Many people with disabilities use assistive technologies to help them perceive and interact with websites. UK legislation helps to ensure that web content works with these technologies, so that no disadvantage results from their use.
Examples
- Screen readers, which audibly read the text on a webpage.
- Browser adaptations, which enable a person to change the size and colour of text.
- Braille displays, which convert webpage text into braille via tiny pins that move up and down on a special keyboard that the person can feel.
- Voice-command software, which enables a person to navigate a website without using a keyboard, touchscreen or mouse.
- Eye-tracking technology, which enables a person to move a cursor on screen, and click on links, using eye movements alone.
