Motoric disability

What is a motor disability? And what do these people run into on the Internet. Here you can read all about motor disabilities and digital accessibility.

In short

In the Netherlands there are about 1.6 million people with a physical disability. Not everyone with a physical disability experiences the same problems. However, all of them are limited in their movement, which makes them experience hindrance in the physical or digital world.

Not every mobility limitation is equally visible. For example, not everyone is in a wheelchair and some physical limitations are not visible at all

Examples of physical or motor impairments

Tremors and spasms

Tremors and spasms are involuntary movements or tremors. These can be caused, for example, by Parkinson's disease. Operating the mouse is often difficult, but typing also takes more effort.

Paralysis

Partial or complete paralysis of the body can be congenital, or it can occur as a result of illness or an accident. For example, it can come from a spinal cord injury. Sometimes adapted assistive devices are needed to operate the computer.

Rheumatism and bone and joint pain

Rheumatism is a collective term for various disabilities caused by (chronic) pain in the bones or joints. A well-known form of rheumatism is arthritis. Operating the mouse and keyboard takes a lot of effort and can be painful

Repetitive strain injury (RSI)

RSI is a collective term for all kinds of complaints that arise from regularly performing the same tasks. A well-known form is the mouse or tennis arm. Holding a mouse (for a long time) is sometimes not possible.

Muscular dystrophy, fibromyalgia and other muscle diseases

Chronic muscle pain or weakening of arm and hand muscles sometimes require support when using the computer.

Amputation

With an amputation, parts of the body are missing. Amputation of the arm or fingers often impacts use of the computer, phone or tablet. Amputations are caused by illness or accidents.

How can you use the Internet with a motor disability?

With the help of various aids, people with physical disabilities can still operate the computer. Using the Internet with a physical disability is therefore perfectly possible, as long as websites and apps are easily accessible.

Eye-tracking

With eye-tracking, the computer is operated with the eyes.

Push buttons

Push buttons are mounted on a wheelchair, for example.

Sensors

With various sensors placed against, in or near the body, signals are picked up to control the computer.

Joystick

A joystick in the workplace can be an alternative to the mouse.

Voice

Voice controls operate the entire computer.

The use of assistive software or hardware is intensive, but practiced users can still quickly operate the computer this way. For them, it is important that websites are fully controllable with both keyboard and mouse. Much assistive technology works as either a keyboard or a mouse.

Keyboard as navigation

Assistive technology designed for people with physical disabilities often works like the keyboard. By making keystrokes through buttons or sensors, computers, tablets and cell phones are operated. The following keys are used for this purpose:

TAB: jump to the next interactive element.
SHIFT + TAB: jump back a step.
ENTER: open or activate something, such as “clicking” a link or button.
SPACE: control buttons, checkboxes, etc.
ESC: to close or collapse something.
Arrow keys to switch between radio buttons or selection options.

Use of mouse

Other assistive technology, which people with motor disabilities use to visit websites, works like a mouse. Therefore, it is important that everything on the website is also mouse controllable and that clickable areas are large enough. This prevents frustration and errors.

How do you account for a motoric impairment on the Internet?

Clickable areas

Make clickable areas large enough.

Time

Give everyone enough time, for example, to fill out a form.

Zoom in

Enable zooming in.

Skiplink

Use a skiplink so that the main navigation can be skipped.

Controls

Give controls appropriate properties in the code as well.

Focus Indicator

Show where you are with a clear focus indicator

Make your products keyboard accessible

Want to learn more about how to take into account people with motor disabilities? Perhaps the training “Digital accessibility for developers,” or making forms accessible might be of interest to you.

Want to know more?

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