Seizure+Disorder

Seizure Disorder Micah Mercer With the internet becoming more accessible to the public and many parts of the world, companies are looking to the internet for advertising exposure. The amount of people surfing the World Wide Web at any time of the day is outstanding. Advertising has noticed this phenomenon and turned to the computer for business exposure. By using flashing lights, bright colors and attractive images advertising on the internet has become very attractive to companies. The problem with this is that as ads have become more popular, they also have become a danger to individuals with certain disorders. The flashing of images and bright lights has an effect on people with photoepileptic disorder causing them to have a seizure. This Disorder is one of the many seizure disorders. This disorder is caused by light hitting the eye’s receptive nervous system resulting in a seizure. However, usually the contents on the web are harmless to people with most seizure disorders. People normally have no trouble with viewing moving text, animation or flashing words, the real problem usually occurs when a person is caught off guard and surprised. For example, the cheap ads that pop up when surfing the web are some of the worst. There designed to look enticing, so many writers that design the ads make them flashy and inviting to click on and pursue the link provided. These types of ads are what set off seizures for individuals with this specific seizure disorder. To solve the problem is relatively simple. Designer are to follow section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act which prohibits flickering effects with a frequency greater than 2 Hz (flickers per second) and lower than 55 Hz. What this means is that the flashing of an ads cannot flash more than two times a second. But, flashing lights are not the only problem with these ads. Size plays an important part in this too. If writers would abide by section 508, it would help in cutting the problem in half. The bigger the ad the higher potential it will have on a person with photoepileptic seizure in having an episode. Writers of internet ads and websites need to keep in mind the potential harm that their ad/website can have on individuals with seizure disorders when designing the programs. The laws are in place for good reasons. After reading this article, I really had a new appreciation for the laws and regulations for creating websites and ads. Unintentionally, not following regulations can greatly impact someone’s health. If you have not already, I would suggest reading section 508 of the U.S Rehabilitation Act.

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