Diverse abilities and barriers

How people use technology

People have diverse abilities, skills, tools, preferences, and expectations that can impact how they use technology. Some may have disabilities from birth, as a result of illness, disease, or accident, or they may develop impairments with age. Language and cultural background can also have an impact on how someone uses technology. Some may not consider themselves to have disabilities even if they do access or use technology in different ways. Technology should be designed to be useable by people with diverse abilities. 

Web accessibility benefits everyone

The W3C has a wealth of information about how people with disabilities use technology, particularly the Web. This includes information on diverse abilities, barriers and user stories. The W3C’s Four Principles of Accessibility can help you understand the principles of web accessibility.

Take a look at these short Web Accessibility Perspective videos demonstrating how Web accessibility is essential for people with disabilities and useful for all in a variety of situations. For audio description and text transcript, view the Web Accessibility Perspective videos on the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative website. 

Engaging with customers and understanding their needs

Engaging with customers and understanding their needs provides the biggest long-term gain for product teams through:

• gaining insights into customer needs and current barriers they face
• informing our design thinking to include features that are essential for some and useful for all
• delivering great experiences for customers 

Follow the key points below to learn more about your customers and how to meet their needs.