Vision Types
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In 2023, a global study revealed that around 2.2 billion people live with some form of visual disability.
Designing in an inclusive and accessible way doesn’t just improve experiences for those with disabilities—it also enhances usability for everyone, including people without impairments.
If we truly aim for user-centered design, then building accessible websites is not optional—it’s a priority.
It’s important to understand that visual disabilities can be permanent, temporary, or situational.
For instance, someone may have a permanent visual impairment, either from birth or acquired over time.
Others may experience temporary disabilities—after surgery or simply forgetting their glasses.
And then there are situational impairments: someone using a phone under bright sunlight with low screen brightness, or a driver who can’t look at the screen while on the road.
As designers, we have a responsibility to empathize with every user and create experiences that include, not exclude.
Next, we’ll explore the most common types of visual disabilities and examples of how they affect users in different contexts.
COLOR BLINDNESS (COLOR VISION DEFICIENCY)
A condition in which a person has difficulty distinguishing between certain colors, often confusing them or being unable to perceive them accurately.
Despite the commonly used term “color blindness,” 99% of people with this condition can still see colors.
Normal Vision
Blurry Vision
LOW VISION
Low Partial loss of functional sight that cannot be corrected with standard eyewear.
This category includes people who face daily challenges such as reading, navigating their surroundings, or recognizing faces, even though their vision is still usable.
BLINDNESS
Severe loss of vision, which may range from extremely limited sight to total absence of vision.