Accessibility-Mobility

Web accessibility is crucial to the daily lives of individuals with disabilities. It is important to note how many Americans on average are faced with disabilities. The following bar graph was compiled by the National Weather Station (NOAA ) in collaboration with the United States Department of Commerce: [] According to the data presented in the above graph there are 19.5 millions Americans who meet the criterion of mobility impaired. These individuals range in physical disabilities from mild to severe. For most mobility impaired individuals accessibility to the internet provides them with their means of shopping, working, education, social networking, finances, and health care. Physical disabilities inhibit an individual’s ability to perform task proficiently; if at all. Numerous studies described the range of impairment anywhere from muscle weakness and limited muscular control to paralysis and missing limbs. Examples of special web accessible tools used to facilitate this range of physical disabilities include: C motor disabilities affecting the hands or arms may use a specialized mouse C a keyboard with a layout of keys that matches their range of hand motion C a pointing device such as a head-mouse C head-pointer or mouth-stick C voice-recognition software; an eye-gaze system C other assistive technologies to access and interact with the information on Web sites [] [] []
 * Web Accessibility for Individuals with Mobility Impairments **