CPACC - Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies Disability Types and Barriers Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A user with a motor disability who cannot use a mouse relies on keyboard-only navigation. Which of the following website features would present the MOST significant barrier to this user?
- A drag-and-drop interface for uploading files. (Correct answer)
- Images that are missing alternative text descriptions.
- A video player that does not have closed captions.
- Text content that uses complex and technical language.
Correct answer: A drag-and-drop interface for uploading files.
A drag-and-drop interface requires precise pointer control, which is a significant barrier for keyboard-only users and those with motor disabilities who cannot operate a mouse. The other options present barriers to users with different disability types (visual, auditory, and cognitive, respectively) but do not directly impact keyboard navigation for a user with a motor disability.
Question 2: Which theoretical model of disability views disability as a societal construct, created by environmental, attitudinal, and organizational barriers?
- The Medical Model
- The Social Model (Correct answer)
- The Charity Model
- The Functional Solutions Model
Correct answer: The Social Model
The Social Model of disability posits that disability is caused by the way society is organized, rather than by a person's impairment. It focuses on removing barriers that restrict life choices for people with disabilities. The Medical Model views disability as a problem of the person to be fixed, the Charity Model sees people with disabilities as objects of pity, and the Functional Solutions Model focuses on practical ways to overcome limitations.
Question 3: A student with dyslexia is reviewing an online textbook for a class. Which of the following would likely be a barrier to their comprehension?
- The ability to navigate the textbook using only a keyboard.
- The inclusion of a video with synchronized captions.
- Long passages of justified text with no images or headings. (Correct answer)
- A color scheme with high contrast between text and background.
Correct answer: Long passages of justified text with no images or headings.
Long, unbroken blocks of justified text can create a 'river of white' effect that makes it difficult for individuals with dyslexia to track lines of text. Justification can also cause inconsistent spacing between words, further hindering readability. The other options are generally considered accessibility best practices that would likely help, not hinder, the student.
Question 4: An individual who is Deaf or hard of hearing is MOST likely to encounter a significant accessibility barrier with which of the following?
- A website with a complex and inconsistent navigation structure.
- An image-based PDF document that is not screen reader accessible.
- A podcast that is published without an accompanying transcript. (Correct answer)
- An online form that has a very short time limit for completion.
Correct answer: A podcast that is published without an accompanying transcript.
For individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing, audio content without a text-based alternative like a transcript or captions is inaccessible. While the other options are valid accessibility barriers, they primarily affect users with cognitive, visual, and motor or cognitive disabilities, respectively.
Question 5: The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are organized around four main principles. Which principle states that users must be able to operate the interface and that it cannot require an interaction that a user cannot perform?
- Perceivable
- Understandable
- Robust
- Operable (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Operable
The 'Operable' principle of WCAG ensures that users can interact with all user interface components and navigation. This includes making all functionality available from a keyboard, as some users cannot operate a mouse.
Question 6: A person with an anxiety disorder is trying to complete an online application that has a prominently displayed countdown timer for each section. This is an example of what kind of barrier?
- Physical Barrier
- Programmatic Barrier
- Cognitive Barrier (Correct answer)
- Communication Barrier
Correct answer: Cognitive Barrier
Strict time limits can create a significant cognitive barrier, particularly for individuals with cognitive or psychological disabilities like anxiety. The pressure of a countdown timer can make it difficult to focus, process information, and complete tasks, inducing stress that exacerbates the condition. While it could be part of a programmatic issue, the direct impact on the user's mental functioning makes it a cognitive barrier.
A user with a motor disability who cannot use a mouse relies on keyboard-only navigation.
Which of the following website features would present the MOST significant barrier to this user?