We tend to think of accessibility design as affecting only those with permanent disabilities, but that’s not always the case.

• A mother holding a toddler in one arm has the same functional capabilities from a usability perspective as someone who was born with the use of only one arm.
• Or a construction worker in a loud work zone is as functionally deaf as someone who was born without any hearing.

These fleeting disabilities tied to a temporary condition, called microdisabilities, can impact a person anywhere from seconds to hours, but still must be considered when deciding the impact of accessibility on a site and its audience.