Challenges

We all have challenges

We all have challenges at some point in our lives, whether they are permanent, temporary, or situational.

Permanent challenges are disabilities that do not go away over time. For example, a person can be born blind or acquire blindness due to illness, injury, or aging.

Temporary challenges are disabilities that go away over time. For example, a person acquires an illness or injury that places them in a wheelchair while they heal or undergo therapy. When they have recovered, they do not need the wheelchair anymore.

Situational challenges are temporary disabilities based on circumstances. For example, a library has quiet zones, so students can study without distractions. In those circumstances, people cannot talk very loud or listen to videos with the sound on. That would distract other students. Those students are temporarily deaf given that situation.

What are some challenges we may face?

There is a wide variety of challenges. The following is a list that affects people when using digital resources, or information technology (IT). Think about how these challenges affect using software, mobile apps, websites, and computer devices. Or how these challenges affect viewing and creating electronic documents. Select a challenge to jump to the assistive technology that aids in that type of challenge.

Note: These are not mutually exclusive groups. For example, you might think of a severe headache as only creating cognitive challenges. Yet people with severe headaches often have impaired vision challenges. Explore the guide to find assistive technology that works for several disability populations.

Note: People who create or maintain digital resources need to do something first for many of these assistive technologies to work. You need to know what to ask people to do so that they can make digital content accessible to you. Use this guide to assist you when explaining what you need.