All humans have limitations in their physical capabilities. Some are immediately
visible, others are not. When designing from an HCI perspective, you start realizing
that limitations are often discussed in terms of disabilities. The application of HCI
to supporting and enhancing the physical capabilities of humans is one of the most
promising application areas. Strides in biomedical engineering mean that there is
research to support the blind or those with low vision, those who are deaf or have
impaired hearing, and people with limited mobility.
There are also improvements in the technical supports available to those who
face difficulties in cognitive processing, including persons suffering with symptoms
of autism, dyslexia, and attention deficit disorder. As a systems analyst you
will be working under the legal provisions of the country in which you are working.
For instance, if you are designing for workplaces in the United States, you
may want to access the obligations of an employer under the Americans with
Disabilities Act at www.eeoc.gov/types/ada.html. There you will find definitions of
who is considered disabled, which states in part, “An individual with a disability is
a person who: has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or
more major life activities; has a record of such impairment; or is regarded as having
such an impairment.”