ABSTRACT
Computer interfaces can contain elements which present access barriers for individuals with impairments. A design process that considers the impairments and disabilities of potential users can help overcome barriers, and create tools that increase employment opportunities, provide enhanced communication capabilities, and enable increased independence. In this article, we use the term “physical disability” in the context of human-computer interaction (HCI) to focus on a difficulty or inability to use the hands and upper body to manipulate common computer input devices. Terms such as “disability,” “impairment,” and “handicap” have been more extensively defined by the World Health Organization (WHO 2000). In this overview we cover the different causes of disabilities and their context in HCI (see sections entitled health condition-induced disabilities, situationally induced disabilities, and physical disabilities in the context of HCI), a short synopsis of HCI research and development (see sections entitled short synopsis of HCI research and short synopsis of HCI development), and then additional considerations and future directions (sections entitled additional considerations in research and development and further information and future directions).
