Temporary Access Needs: When Life Takes a Tumble
Temporary or situational access needs are something most people don’t think about until they experience it for themselves. Breaking your arm for instance introduces all sorts of temporary access needs and shows just how fragile our independence can be.

Well, here we are again.
Our incredible boss, Dr. Chandra Harrison PhD, has managed to break her arm, again. The same arm, again. She even had the same surgeon, again. But this time she did a proper job with both ulna and radius fractures, a metal plate and half a dozen screws.
If she didn’t laugh, she might just cry, and honestly, we’re right there with her.
It’s funny how quickly life can flip on you. One day, you're running online meetings, replying to emails, ordering groceries online, and booking dentist appointments. The next, you're stuck trying to figure out how to type one handed or use dictation software. Even worse is struggling to use an inaccessible website using speech input.
The team here at Access Advisors are truly passionate about accessibility and supporting organisations to make their digital solutions accessible for everyone.
Chandra’s latest adventure is a reminder that we need to consider temporary and situational access needs as well as the permanent ones.
Temporary or situational access needs
Temporary or situational access needs are something most people don’t think about until they experience it for themselves. Breaking your arm for instance introduces all sorts of temporary access needs and shows just how fragile our independence can be.
Temporary or situational access needs are the result of temporary conditions or events that limit your ability in any way. It might be a broken bone, recovery from surgery, a migraine, or simply holding a baby in one arm while trying to answer a message with the other. It might be fatigue, illness, or a stressful event.
Technology Can Help
Thankfully, technology can make things easier, and temporary access needs can even provide an opportunity to learn new skills and assistive tech.
Dictation or speech-to-text tools help you write without typing. Mac, Windows, iOS all come with built-in dictation options which can make simple emails much quicker than using one finger keyboard pecking.
AI has greatly improved the software, making it much more robust than it was a year ago. For example, rather than writing a full-scale report, ChatGPT can help you organise your dictated thoughts or draft content when your energy is low or your hands are sore.
Voice control can also help you navigate around systems and websites. Just saying a command like “Open Outlook” saves multiple keystrokes and mouse clicks. If websites are well designed, voice control can provide a more efficient, and potentially less painful, interaction.
Digital Barriers
For most people, temporary or situational access needs are a brief challenge, hopefully six weeks for Chandra. For others, it might lead to longer-term changes. Either way, it alters how you move through the world. It can affect how you work, how you communicate, and how you take care of yourself and your family.
Temporary access needs definitely impact how you use digital solutions. It can also highlight problems you have never considered, such as how accessible or inaccessible your favourite website is.
For example, if a website has not been careful with coding controls such as links and buttons, then voice control software won’t work as easily. If you have multiple links that say the same thing, such as ‘learn more’, you need to use additional controls in voice control.
It’s Not Just Physical
When you suddenly find yourself unable to do the things you usually do, it can take a real toll on your mental health. It’s not just about being unable to do things. It’s about having to rethink everything. And that shift can be mentally exhausting.
There’s frustration, guilt, and sometimes even shame. You might feel like you’re letting people down. Or like you’ve lost control. That’s a tough thing to face, especially if you’re someone who’s used to being capable and dependable.
There is also the impact of pain and medication on your ability to focus and remember. PIN numbers and passwords can be much harder to remember when stressed, tired or on pain relief. Making access to digital systems easier without compromising security is another consideration.
Let’s Be Prepared
Temporary or situational access needs can affect anyone at any time. No one is immune. Considering and addressing the accessibility of your systems for everyone with any access needs is a great way to prepare. Let’s build tools and spaces that are ready when life takes an unexpected tumble. Chances are, one day, you or someone you care about will need accessible digital platforms.
Because, accidents do happen and any one of us could end up with temporary access needs, right now is always the time to ensure your digital spaces are accessible for everyone.
If you’d like help to improve your digital accessibility ready for when life throws unexpected challenges, then email Access Advisors. We’re always here.