Disability Types and Barriers Flashcards

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?

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.

Which theoretical model of disability views disability as a societal construct, created by environmental, attitudinal, and organizational barriers?

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.

A student with dyslexia is reviewing an online textbook for a class. Which of the following would likely be a barrier to their comprehension?

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.

An individual who is Deaf or hard of hearing is MOST likely to encounter a significant accessibility barrier with which of the following?

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.