Section+508

There is a very strong emphasis on user experience when designing web site, however there are many kinds of users that need to be taken into consideration. Many citizens with disabilities face difficulties when trying to access information online.
 * User Experience for the Disabled**


 * Barriers that prevent users from accesing the internet:**
 * 1) Visual Barriers
 * 2) Aural Barriers
 * 3) Physical / Motor Barriers
 * 4) Cognitive Barriers


 * Solutions to disability barriers**:
 * 1) Visual- Programming websites in CSS code allows users who are visually impaired to use screen readers in order to hear online content. Refreshable braille displays are also available.


 * 1) Aural- To assist aurally disabled users, you can make your website accesible to software which can create captions for sound files on the internet.
 * 2) Physical / Motor- Many individuals with physical disabilities still use the internet, yet some can not correctly use a mouse or keyboard. To assist the users, designers should avoid using small, hard to pinpoint links. Physically disabled users can make use of voice recognition software, and hot key programming.
 * 3) Cognitive- To cater to individuals with cognitive disabilities while designing a website, designers can be cautious of typefaces uses, and can limit flashing, animated type which may be hard for some users to read. Including sufficient white space can also make text more readible.

There are many steps that can be taken to make the internet accessible to disabled individuals. Some laws have been passed which require web resources to cater to the disabled. Some include:

Section 508 – An ammendment to the US federal law that requires all federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities.

The DDA- n 1995, a disability discrimination act was passed which stated that "It is unlawful for a service provider to discriminate against a disabled person by refusing to provide any service which it provides to members of the public."

References: 1. Sap Design Guild "Sap User Experience Glossary"  2. Mickwood.com "What problems do disabled internet users face?"  3. Bink.nu "Disabled Internet Access"  4. Web Credible "How disabled users access the internet"  5. Wikipedia "Refreshable Braille Display" 