Common Barriers

Individuals with physical, sensory or cognitive impairments may not be able to effectively access electronic information that is created without universal access in mind. Learn how certain impairments can affect access and how to build content with accessibility in mind.

Visual Impairments

Potential barrier How to help
Individuals with visual impairments may use assistive technology such as screen readers to read the words on a webpage aloud. Screen readers cannot scan and interpret pictures and images. Additionally, some formats may appear to be in text, but are actually images of a document.
    • Use alternative text to describe the content of images.
    • Ensure that PDFs and other text documents can be accessed with a screen reader.
    Visual impairments may include the inability to distinguish among colors.
      • Do not use color to convey meaning.
      • Ensure color contrast meets the guidelines.
      Individuals with visual impairments generally do not use a mouse.
        • Supply keyboard alternatives for mouse usage.
        People with visual impairments may not be able to see information conveyed by video or through visual aids such as PowerPoint.
          • Provide audio descriptions of events in videos that cannot be interpreted by audio alone.
          • When giving a presentation, convey the information on PowerPoint slides and other visual aids verbally.

          Cognitive and Learning Impairments

          Potential barrier How to help

          Individuals with cognitive impairments may:

          • Have difficulty processing information on a webpage,
          • Become confused with complex website layouts or inconsistent navigational schemes, and
          • Have difficulty focusing on lengthy sections of text.
            • Simplify the layout as much as possible.
            • Keep the navigational scheme consistent.
            • Use a logical heading structure.
            • Organize content into manageable pieces.
            • Use plain language. Write clearly and concisely.

            Hearing Impairments

            Potential barrier How to help

            Audio is inaccessible.
              • Provide captions for video content.
              • Provide transcripts for audio content.

              Physical and Motor Impairments

              Potential barrier How to help

              Users may not be able to operate a mouse, making keyboard or alternative input navigation essential. They may also need more time to complete tasks on a webpage and/or larger clickable target areas.

                Ensure that all interactive elements on a page can be accessed by keyboard alone. Tab from link to link to determine whether the keyboard can effectively access information on the page.