Psychic
Depression
Depression (or depressive disorder) is a common psychological illness whose mood disorders cause major disruption to daily life. Many psychological, biological and environmental factors are involved in its onset.
- Nature of disability : Acquired
- Age group concerned : Teenagers and adults
- Number of people affected : Around 5 to 10% of the population
Symptoms
- Persistent sadness, loss of interest, sleep problems, low self-confidence, difficulty concentrating
Solutions for accessibility
- Add relevant headings and lists
- White space evenly distributed throughout your content
- Separate content into shorter, condensed paragraphs
- Consistent, symmetrical design
- Use bulleted lists
- Include logical reading order and organisation
- Use user-friendly fonts and softer colour tones and shades
- Properly coded search bars with easy navigation and relevant explanations
- Minimise complexity to avoid cognitive overload
- Incorporate a variety of images without depicting people in distress or feelings of despair
- Avoid ‘timed’ submission forms
- Refrain from language that could be deemed offensive to members of the mental health community, such as mad, crazy, psychopath, maniac or loony
- Don't use stereotypical phrases that reflect negativity. Instead of saying normal person vs. healthy person, say: disabled person