This report provides a comprehensive look at computer use among individuals with mild or severe difficulties/impairments and the market for accessible technology—including the use of computers, awareness and use of accessible technology, and factors that influence the use of computers and accessible technology.
This study identified the wide range of individuals who can benefit from the use of accessible technology by examining both individuals who are traditionally considered as comprising the market for accessible technology (people with disabilities) and a broader category of individuals who experience slight or occasional difficulties and impairments (which are defined as “mild difficulties/impairments” in this report). Within this broader category, the majority of people across all ranges of difficulties/impairments use computers today and many of them use some form of accessible technology. This study provides a more complete understanding of the market for accessible technology and reveals that 57% of computer users are likely or very likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology due to experiencing a mild or severe difficulty/impairment.
Computer use is widespread among individuals with, and without, difficulties and impairments. However, the rate of computer use is lower among those with difficulties/impairments. Among individuals with mild or severe difficulties/impairments, 74% use computers compared with 84% of individuals without difficulties/impairments who use computers. Given the demographic factors that influence the use of computers, such as household income and education, it is clear that these factors contribute to lower rates of computer use among individuals across all types of difficulties/impairments just as they do in the general population. However, having a severe difficulty/impairment reduces computer use among people from all demographic backgrounds.
Most computer users (69%) with mild or severe difficulties/impairments are currently using some form of accessible technology, but many of these users could benefit from using additional accessibility options or assistive technology products. There are opportunities to expand the use of accessible technology among current users and increase use among the remaining 30% of computer users with mild or severe difficulties/impairments who are not yet using accessible technology. Furthermore, the rapidly aging population and the increasing use of computers in older generations will lead to growth in the population of computer users who are likely to benefit from accessible technology.
The two factors that primarily influence the use of accessible technology are an individual's level of computer experience and confidence using a computer. Although having a difficulty/impairment impacts whether a computer user is likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology, its use is ultimately determined by an individual's level of experience and confidence using computers. Computer users with more experience and confidence are more likely to use accessible technology and alternately, computer users with less experience and confidence are not as likely to use accessible technology.
The IT industry focuses on helping individuals with specific severe disabilities find the accessible technology they need to use computers. However, the majority of people who are currently using accessible technology, and those who are likely to use accessible technology in the future, do not use this technology because they do not consider themselves as having an impairment or disability but rather look for ways to make computing easier. There is an opportunity for the IT industry to realize growth in the accessible technology market and improve computers by making accessible technology easier to find and use by all computer users. Specifically, presenting accessibility options and assistive technology products as part of a computer's functionality rather than as an aid for people with disabilities will reach more computer users and will increase the reach of accessible technology.
Ultimately, today’s users of accessible technology find that accessible technology makes computers easier, more convenient, and more comfortable to use. Therefore, making accessible technology easier to discover and use will result in computers that are easier, more convenient, and more comfortable for computer users with diverse needs and backgroundsresulting in growth in the accessible technology market that will benefit computer users and the IT industry alike.
The following section provides background information about how the Phase I survey identified individuals as being likely or very likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology and reviews findings presented in the Phase I report, The Wide Range of Abilities and Its Impact on Computer Use (www.microsoft.com/enable/research).
Identifying Who Is Likely and Very Likely to Benefit from the Use of Accessible Technology
The Phase I study was designed to identify the range of individuals who are likely or very likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology. It consisted of survey questions that were written to identify individuals with disabilities or impairments as well as a broader group of individuals who experience occasional, intermittent, or mild difficulties performing daily tasks. Individuals with severe difficulties/impairments represent the group generally considered to comprise the market for accessible technology.4
This study was able to measure and understand the current and potential use of accessible technology by studying the broader group of individuals. Specifically, the survey included questions to identify:
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Individuals who have difficulty with a variety of daily tasks. These questions had a gradient of answers (“None,” “Some,” or “Most of the time”) that allowed participants to be specific about the severity of difficulty with a daily task.
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Individuals who have a visual, dexterity, hearing, speech, or cognitive difficulty or impairment. These questions also had a gradient of answers that allowed participants to specify the severity of an impairment.
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Individuals who have a difficulty or impairment that impacts their employment.
Based on their responses, participants were placed into one of the following three groups according to the likelihood of benefiting from the use of accessible technology:
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Not likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology due to no (or very minimal) difficulties or impairments.
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Likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology due to experiencing mild difficulties or impairments.
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Very likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology due to experiencing severe difficulties or impairments.
Because participants were able to respond to questions using a gradient of answers, they were able to report experiencing mild and intermittent difficulties and impairments in addition to the more severe and long-term difficulties and impairments that are typically defined as "disabilities" in other studies. This approach enabled the study to identify a wider range of individuals with difficulties and impairments and more accurately measure and understand the current and potential accessible technology market than other studies have been able to do.
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