Accessibility issues and strategies for people with physical disabilities

Physical disabilities (sometimes called “motor disabilities”) include weakness and limitations of muscular control (such as involuntary movements including tremors, lack of coordination, or paralysis), limitations of sensation, joint disorders (such as arthritis), pain that impedes movement, and missing limbs. Disabilities which affect mobility or movement are the most common disabilities for adults in the UK according to a study by St Andrews University.


In the context of online accessibility these conditions are going to make it difficult for people to use a keyboard, mouse, screen or other hardware. 

In the next section we will take a look at some of the assistive technologies that can be utilised by people with physical disabilities.