Working with Conditions That Affect Daily Life: Accessibility Insights from TechDefined

Different Conditions Can Create Different Barriers

Every person experiences work and technology differently.

Some people live with permanent disabilities, while others experience chronic health conditions, temporary injuries, age-related changes or situational access needs.

These experiences can affect how someone:

• reads digital content
• uses a keyboard or mouse
• remains focused for long periods
• processes complex information
• attends meetings
• travels to a workplace
• manages fatigue or discomfort
• completes visually detailed tasks

An inclusive workplace should avoid assuming that one working method or digital experience will suit everyone.

Instead, organisations can listen to individuals, identify the barriers they experience and consider practical adjustments.

Visual Access Needs

Visual access needs can be connected to conditions such as:

• keratoconus
• macular degeneration
• glaucoma
• diabetic retinopathy
• colour-vision differences
• low vision

A person may experience blurred or distorted vision, reduced contrast sensitivity, glare, difficulty recognising detail or challenges reading small text.

Helpful adjustments may include:

• screen magnification
• larger text
• suitable colour contrast
• adjustable screen brightness
• text-to-speech software
• screen-reader support
• reduced glare
• accessible documents
• flexible lighting

The most suitable adjustments will depend on the person and the tasks they need to complete.

Mobility and Dexterity Access Needs

Conditions affecting movement, strength or dexterity may make it difficult to use a standard keyboard, mouse or touchscreen.

These barriers may be connected to arthritis, muscular conditions, spinal injuries, repetitive strain or other mobility-related access needs.

Practical support may include:

• ergonomic keyboards and mice
• alternative input devices
• voice-control software
• keyboard-accessible websites
• adjustable desks
• suitable seating
• reduced repetitive tasks
• accessible workplace layouts

Digital systems should not rely only on precise mouse movements or gestures that may be difficult for some users.

Neurodivergent and Cognitive Access Needs

People with ADHD, dyslexia and other neurological, cognitive or learning differences may experience barriers involving concentration, memory, reading, organisation or information processing.

Helpful digital and workplace practices may include:

• clear instructions
• consistent layouts
• descriptive headings
• shorter paragraphs
• reduced visual clutter
• plain language
• flexible task planning
• written follow-up after meetings
• adjustable notification settings
• sufficient time to process information

These practices can improve clarity for many people, not only those with a diagnosed condition.

Chronic Health Conditions and Fatigue

Chronic pain, autoimmune conditions, fatigue-related conditions and other long-term health needs may affect endurance and workplace participation.

The impact may vary from day to day.

A person may benefit from:

• flexible working hours
• remote or hybrid work
• regular short breaks
• reduced travel
• adjustable workloads
• flexibility for medical appointments
• prioritisation of essential tasks
• a comfortable workstation

Support should be discussed with the individual rather than based on assumptions about their condition.

Practical Strategies for More Inclusive Work

Organisations can consider several approaches to reduce workplace and digital barriers.

Assistive Technology

Assistive and built-in accessibility tools may include:

• screen readers
• screen magnifiers
• voice commands
• speech-to-text
• text-to-speech
• alternative keyboards and mice
• high-contrast settings
• operating-system accessibility tools

Technology should be selected based on the individual’s needs and the systems used in their role.

Flexible Work Environments

Adjustable monitors, suitable lighting, ergonomic equipment and flexible working arrangements can help people manage different access needs.

Remote or hybrid work may provide greater control over lighting, noise, travel and fatigue.

However, flexibility should be discussed individually because the same arrangement will not suit everyone.

Clear Communication

Open and respectful communication can help teams understand which barriers are affecting an employee.

Managers can focus on:

• listening to the individual
• discussing practical adjustments
• maintaining appropriate privacy
• reviewing whether adjustments remain effective
• avoiding assumptions about ability
• providing information in accessible formats

People should not be expected to disclose more personal or medical information than is reasonably necessary.

Supporting Independence

Inclusive support should help people complete their work with greater confidence and independence.

The goal is not to lower expectations or assume that a person cannot perform their role.

It is to reduce avoidable barriers and provide suitable tools, information and working conditions.

Accessibility in Everyday Digital Tools

Websites, software, documents and applications are used throughout modern workplaces.

These tools can become barriers when accessibility has not been considered.

Common issues may include:

• controls without accessible names
• poor colour contrast
• documents that do not work with screen readers
• forms without clear labels
• keyboard traps
• unclear error messages
• videos without captions
• complex navigation
• fixed text that cannot be enlarged
• instructions that rely only on colour

Identifying and addressing these barriers can support more usable digital work environments.

Accessibility Benefits More Than One Group

Accessibility improvements often support a broad range of people.

For example:

• captions can assist people in noisy environments
• keyboard access can help users with temporary injuries
• clear headings can improve scanning and comprehension
• larger text can support users on small screens
• plain language can make complex information easier to understand
• flexible work can help people managing health, care or travel needs

Accessibility should therefore be considered part of overall usability and digital quality.

How TechDefined Supports Organisations

TechDefined provides digital accessibility testing and assessment services.

Our work focuses on identifying accessibility barriers observed during testing within the agreed testing scope.

Services may include:

Accessibility Testing

We review agreed pages, components and user journeys to identify barriers that may affect people using assistive technologies.

Detailed Reporting

Reports document the findings observed during testing, affected areas, relevant WCAG references and practical recommendations.

Implementation Support

Where implementation support is included within the agreed scope, TechDefined can assist with addressing identified barriers.

Retesting

Relevant areas can be retested after changes to determine whether previously identified barriers have been addressed.

Accessibility Guidance

We can support design, development and content teams in understanding accessibility considerations for future digital work.

Creating a More Inclusive Workplace

An inclusive workplace begins by recognising that people may interact with work and technology in different ways.

Organisations do not need to predict every individual requirement.

They can begin by:

• listening to employees and users
• reviewing important digital tools
• providing accessible communication
• considering flexible working options
• supporting assistive technology
• responding constructively to feedback
• regularly reviewing existing barriers

Small, practical improvements can make workplace tasks easier to complete and reduce unnecessary exclusion.

Final Thoughts

Living or working with a condition should not define a person’s ambition, ability or professional contribution.

Appropriate tools, practical adjustments and accessible digital systems can help reduce barriers and support greater participation.

TechDefined helps organisations understand accessibility barriers within agreed digital environments and provides practical recommendations to support improvement.