Temporary Impairments

Temporary impairments, such as those caused by bulky clothing or equipment, can be an important consideration in product and system design.

For example, if we have heavy shopping or luggage to carry this may impact our ability to move around the environment. This could be seen as a temporary impairment. It is temporary because it is due to something that can be removed or set aside.

As another example, if a product or system requires the use of fine motor skills or the sense of touch, the presence of bulky clothing, such as large gloves, could hinder a person’s ability to perform these tasks.

In these cases, it may be necessary to design the product or system in a way that accommodates the use of bulky clothing, or to provide an alternative means of interaction that does not require the use of fine motor skills or the sense of touch.

Other examples of temporary impairments that may be caused by clothing include:

• Restrictions on movement: Bulky or restrictive clothing can limit a person’s range of motion and make it difficult to perform certain tasks.
• Obstructed vision: Clothing that covers the face, such as a scarf or hood, can obstruct a person’s vision and make it difficult to see.
• Interference with hearing: Headwear or other clothing that covers the ears can interfere with a person’s ability to hear.