How People with Disabilities Use the Web -- Diversity of Web Users page

I'm forwarding this to the editor's list so it can be found more easily when we're updating that document.

page: http://www.w3.org/WAI/intro/people-use-web/diversity


-------- Original Message --------
Subject:  Diversity document.
Resent-Date:  Thu, 06 Nov 2014 16:10:44 +0000
Resent-From:  w3c-wai-eo@w3.org
Date:  Thu, 6 Nov 2014 08:10:17 -0800
From:  Wayne Dick <wayneedick@gmail.com>
To:  EOWG (E-mail) <w3c-wai-eo@w3.org>



I am commenting only on low vision because I have researched that topic best.

Low Vision
"Visual disabilities range from mild or moderate vision impairments in one or both eyes ("low vision" or "partial sight"), to substantial and uncorrectable loss of vision in both eyes ("blindness")."

Unless the WHO has revised its definition since 2010, this statement is incorrect.  Low vision as a disability is always bilateral.

Relative to barriers.  The statement that most cannot read small print is correct, but the real barrier is normal print (10pt to 12pt). The best functional definition of low vision is a person who cannot read normal print from 40cm (16in) (Legge, Psychophysics of Reading).

Also, low vision ranges from mild to severe. The erratic patterns of visual damage create situations where a person with mild vision loss cannot read visually and a person with severe vision loss can (Psychophysics of Reading) .  Thus, medical definitions are generally of little use when it comes to barrier removal.

What is generally referred to as mild is considered to be a disability by the WHO but not by the US.  Moderate and severe are considered disabilities world wide.

Received on Thursday, 6 November 2014 16:35:40 UTC