Dexterity

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Overview | Understanding dex. | Dex. functions (5) | Env. context | Design guidance | Pop. stats. (2)

Population statistics

Prevalence data | Demand & exclusion

Dexterity ability level (in increasing order)

D1 Cannot pick up and hold a mug of coffee with either hand
D2 Cannot turn a tap or control knobs on a cooker with either hand
D3 Cannot pick up and carry a pint of milk or squeeze the water from a sponge with either hand
D4 Cannot pick up a small object such as a safety pin with either hand
D5 Has difficulty picking up and pouring from a full kettle or serving food from a pan using a spoon or ladle
D6 Has difficulty unscrewing the lid of a coffee jar or using a pen and pencil
D7 Cannot pick up and carry a 5 lb bag of potatoes with either hand
D8 Has difficulty wringing out light washing or using a pair of scissors
D9 Can pick up and hold a mug of tea or coffee with one hand but not with the other
D10 Can turn a tap or control knob with one hand but not with the other. Can squeeze water from a sponge with one hand but not the other
D11 Can pick up a small object such as a safety pin with one hand but not with the other. Can pick up and carry a pint of milk with one hand but not the other. Has difficulty tying a bow in laces or strings
D12 Full dexterity ability
Graph showing distribution of dexterity ability. 6.6% (3.0 million adults) are in levels D1-D11 and therefore have less than full dexterity ability

Graph showing the distribution of dexterity ability, where those with full ability (D12) are not shown.

Important note
These dexterity ability levels and prevalence statistics are taken directly from the 1996/97 Disability Follow-up Survey (Grundy et al. 1999), which was commissioned by the government to plan welfare support. The GB adult population was 45.6 million people at the time of the survey. Please see the Framework section for more detail.