Skip to main content
Apply Visit Give

News

article

Three ‘invisible’ disabilities you may not know exist

There are people with conditions we can't always see, and sometimes using web content is challenging for them. Here we discuss 3 common invisible disabilities. Read on to learn how simple web adjustments improve web usability for everyone.

Source: University Communications Services
Man's hands typing on laptop Photo credit: Sigmund from Unsplash

Ensuring web access for all

Chances are when you think of a disability, conditions such as blindness, deafness and physical or motor disabilities come to mind.

Would it surprise you to know there are other equally challenging disabilities that can’t be seen, but that also prevent people from navigating and accessing information on the web?

Here are three common ones, among many others, and some accommodations you can make on the web to help ensure everyone has access to Concordia’s web content regardless of disability, device or technical constraint.

1. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

According to Autism Canada, ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts brain development, resulting in problems with communication, difficulty with social interactions and the tendancy to repeat specific behaviours. Generally speaking, autism varies widely in its severity and symptoms. That's why people with autism often have very specific needs.

Condition
  • Autism spectrum disorder is a very broad condition and affects everyone differently, from those who require 24/7 care to individuals who live fully autonomous lives

Challenges
  • Challenges are varied and may include auditory and visual processing problems; anxiety; reading disabilities; problem-solving skills; attention deficit; tactile hypersensitivity; difficulty using logic or math; and more

Assistive devices,
aids and strategies
  • In school, people on the spectrum may benefit from such things as classroom aides, “quiet rooms” in which to study or complete exams, and are often given additional time to finish exams or papers

Web accommodations
  • Design pages using simple colours, not bright and highly contrasting ones
  • Avoid figures of speech or idioms; write in plain language
  • Write using short, simple sentences
  • Add bullets to text because a big wall of text can be confusing
  • Make descriptions on buttons specific, e.g., “Attach here” vs. “Click here”
  • Create a layout that is simple, consistent and not cluttered
  • Keep tables straightforward and not crowded with too much information

Some resources to help make your web content accessible

2. Anxiety disorders

Symptoms of anxiety can be triggered and manifest in many different ways. In fact, anxiety can be caused by a wide array of conditions, from genetic predisposition to physical injuries.

Condition
  • Anxiety may result from many conditions, including autism spectrum disorder, depression, post traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorders
  • Symptoms range from mild, but manageable, to severe and debilitating
  • Anxiety Canada says commonly occurring symptoms are clustered into four areas: physical responses, thoughts, emotions and behaviours

Challenges
  • People may “shut down” when overloaded with too much information
  • Time limits can be extra stressful when completing forms or tests
  • The person many need extra time to read instructions and check responses
  • Individuals may feel overwhelmed when faced with too many decisions

Assistive devices,
aids and strategies
  • In school, people with anxiety may benefit from such things as classroom aides, “quiet rooms” in which to study or complete exams, and are sometimes given additional time to finish exams

Web accommodations
  • Give users enough time to finish and/or complete an action on a web page
  • Explain steps clearly (i.e., describe what happens next)
  • Ensure important information is easily identified in headers
  • Provide users a means of support to complete their task at hand, e.g., ensure the “Contact us” information or FAQ section is easy to find
  • Allow users to always check their answers before submitting them

Some resources to help make your web content accessible

3. Dyslexia

Many people with reading disabilities learn to “hide” their difficulties in a way that isn’t easily noticed. But with specific accommodations, they can be helped to adapt to overcome their challenges.

Condition
  • Dyslexia is among the most common reading disabilities
  • Typically, it involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words
  • According to the Mayo Clinic, people with dyslexia usually have normal intelligence and normal vision

Challenges
  • Reading fluency or speed, learning new words, spelling difficulties, reading comprehension, problems naming letters, anxiety and low self-esteem

Assistive devices,
aids and strategies
  • There is no known way to correct dyslexia
  • Adults with the condition should seek instructional help with reading and writing

Web accommodations
  • Add bright, clear diagrams and images to support your text
  • Keep your layout consistent (e.g., always align text to the left)
  • Supplement content using other formats such as videos or audio
  • Avoid large, heavy blocks of text — keep the content short, clear and simple
  • Do not write in all-capital letters, underline or italicize words
  • Do not rely on accurate spelling to complete fillable fields — provide suggestions or use autocorrect
  • Never put too much information on one page

Some resources to help make your web content accessible

Want to know even more about web accessibility? Here are some additional resources

For a general overview of what you can do to make your Concordia web pages more accessible, check out Making Concordia websites accessible, which includes additional tools to help you become further familiar with such basics of web accessibility as:

web accessibility