Understanding Experiences of Users with Disabilities

A List Apart published an article a few days ago titled, What is Web Accessibility? by Trenton Moss. The article doesn’t attempt to explain any technical concept, but simply to help the reader understand the implications of different disabilities of web use. WebAIM does the same thing in their Introduction to Web Accessibility by Paul Bohman, especially with the accompanying articles on visual, hearing, motor and cognitive disabilities listed at the bottom of that page, each containing information on specific disabilities in those categories.

Understanding the nature of how different disabilities affect web use (as opposed to simply understanding accessible coding practices) is essential in order to ensure your site is really accessible. If you have a solid understanding of what barriers your visitors might encounter then there may be occasions when it would be okay to break a generally accepted rule or a need to go beyond what is required by accepted guidelines.

So can these perspectives be gained? I think a good place to start would be to talk to persons who might encounter some of the barriers from inaccessible design, ask them questions about their experiences. Articles such as those mentioned above can be helpful, as well as online simulations such as these from WebAIM (Screen Reader, Low-vision and Cognitive), a vision simulation from the State of Vermont or a color blindness simulation from Vischeck.

Other ideas on how to gain this perspective?