Findings About Computer Users

This section contains information about working-age computer users in the United States (those who currently use computers either at home, at work, or both, who range from 18 to 64 years old). Information about computer users who are likely or very likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology due to mild or severe difficulties and impairments, the prevalence of different types of difficulties and impairments among computer users, and the impact that difficulties and impairments have on computer use is provided.

Difficulties and Impairments among Computer Users

The incidence of types of difficulties and impairments among computer users is shown in Figure 4. Visual, dexterity, and hearing difficulties and impairments are the most common types among computer users.

Approximately one in four (25%) computer users have a visual difficulty or impairment.
Nearly one in four (24%) computer users have a dexterity difficulty or impairment.
One in five (20%) computer users have a hearing difficulty or impairment.

Somewhat fewer computer users have a cognitive difficulty or impairment (16%), and few (3%) have a speech difficulty or impairment.

The table in Figure 4 represents the number of computer users (in millions) who have each type of difficulty or impairment defined in the survey. For the top three difficulties and impairments:

17% (21.9 million) of computer users have a mild visual difficulty or impairment, and 9% (11.1 million) of computer users have a severe visual difficulty or impairment.
19% (24.4 million) of computer users have a mild dexterity difficulty or impairment, and 5% (6.8 million) of computer users have a severe dexterity difficulty or impairment.
18% (24.0 million) of computer users have a mild hearing difficulty or impairment, and 2% (2.5 million) of computer users have a severe hearing difficulty or impairment.

Figure 4: Likelihood to Benefit from the Use of Accessible Technology by Type of Difficulty/Impairment among Computer Users

Majority of Computer Users Likely to Benefit from the Use of Accessible Technology

The findings of this study show that the majority of computer users are likely or very likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology. As shown in Figure 5, 57% (74.2 million) of computer users are likely or very likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology due to experiencing mild to severe difficulties or impairments.

The chart in Figure 5 also shows the percentages of computer users who are likely or very likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology due to a range of mild to severe difficulties and impairments:

40% (51.6 million) of computer users are likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology due to experiencing mild difficulties or impairments.
17% (22.6 million) of computer users are very likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology due to experiencing severe difficulties or impairments.
43% (56.2 million) of computer users are not likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology due to experiencing no or minimal difficulties or impairments.

Figure 5: Majority of Computer Users Likely to Benefit from the Use of Accessible Technology

[image: Figure 5 includes a pie chart and table showing computer users age 18-64 who are likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology. All the data in this figure are in the text of the report directly before this figure appears on the page.]

Computer users are as likely as working-age adults to have mild difficulties or impairments, but they are less likely to have severe difficulties or impairments. Among computer users who range from 18 to 64 years old, 40% have a mild difficulty or impairment, compared to 38% of the overall working-age adult population. However, 17% of computer users who range from 18 to 64 years old have a severe difficulty or impairment, compared to 22% of the overall working-age adult population.

Difficulties and Impairments Reduce Computer Use

The data confirms that the degree of severity of a difficulty or impairment is an important factor that influences computer use.

Figure 6 shows that computer use is lower among individuals who are likely or very likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology. While 85% of individuals who have no or minimal difficulties or impairments use computers, computer usage drops to 80% among those who have mild difficulties/impairments and who are likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology. It drops even further to 63% among individuals who have severe difficulties/impairments and who are very likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology.

Figure 6: Computer Use Lower Among Those Likely to Benefit from the Use of Accessible Technology

[image: Figure 6 includes a bar chart showing percent who use a computer among those very likely (63%), likely (80%), and not likely (85%) to benefit from the use of computers. All the data in this figure are in the text of the report directly before this figure appears on the page.]

This data suggests that difficulties and impairments are factors that reduce computer use among some individuals and that a large audience for accessible technology exists among today's computer users. By creating technology that is more accessible to individuals who have difficulties and impairments, it is reasonable to assume that computer use among those with impairments and difficulties will rise.

Difficulties and Impairments Reduce Technology Optimism

The level of technology optimism by each group is examined below to better understand how those likely and very likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology view technology. Technology optimism⁴ is a proprietary measure (created by Forrester Research, Inc.) used to measure optimism about the role of technology in one's life.

Figure 7 illustrates that computer users who are more likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology, due to having difficulties and impairments, are less likely to be "technology optimists."

Only 51% of computer users who are likely and very likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology (due to having mild to severe difficulties and impairments) are technology optimists, compared to 58% of computer users who are not likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology.

Figure 7: Technology Optimism Lower among Those Likely to Benefit from the Use of Accessible Technology

[image: Figure 7 includes a bar chart showing percent who are technology optimists among those very likely (51%), likely (51%), and not likely (58%) to benefit from the use of computers. All the data in this figure are in the text of the report directly before this figure appears on the page.]

One possible explanation for the difference could be that individuals who are likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology have found that using computers is more challenging because the technology is not accessible. This illustrates the potential for accessible technology to improve an individual's satisfaction with computers and optimism about technology.

Next page: The Aging of the US Population and Its Impact on Computer Use

⁴ Technology optimism is measured by examining survey respondents answers to questions such as "I like technology" and "Technology is important to me."

(A Research Report Commissioned by Microsoft Corporation and Conducted by Forrester Research, Inc., in 2003)

Microsoft Accessibility: Technology for Everyone

Findings About Computer Users

Difficulties and Impairments among Computer Users

Majority of Computer Users Likely to Benefit from the Use of Accessible Technology

Difficulties and Impairments Reduce Computer Use

Difficulties and Impairments Reduce Technology Optimism

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