Population statistics
Prevalence data | Demand & exclusion
No demand
- The user is not required to pick up and carry objects, or perform fine finger manipulation, or grasp objects
Low demand
The user is required to have sufficient ability to do things like
- Perform simple fine finger manipulation with either the left or right hand; e.g. pickup a safety pin
- Pick up and carry a light object with either the left or right hand; e.g. carry a pint of milk
- Grasp an object with either the left or right hand; e.g. squeeze a sponge
Moderate demand
The user is required to have sufficient ability to do things like
- Perform complicated fine finger manipulation with either the left or right hand; e.g. use a pen without difficulty
- Pick up and carry a heavy object with either the left or right hand; e.g. carry a 2.5 kg (≈ 5 lb) bag of potatoes
- Use both hands to grasp something lightly; e.g. unscrew the lid of an instant coffee jar
High demand
The user is required to have sufficient ability to do things like
- Perform two-handed fine finger manipulation; e.g. tie a bow in laces without difficulty
- Pick up and carry a heavy object in each hand; e.g. carry a 2.5 kg (≈ 5 lb) bag of potatoes in each hand
- Grasp an object in each hand; e.g. squeeze a sponge with each hand
Graph showing the number of people who would be excluded due to various levels of dexterity demand levels
Important Note
These statements refer to the level of dexterity ability that a product or service demands, in order to use it. For a particular demand level, the 1996/97 Disability Follow-up Survey is used to calculate the total number of people who do not have this level of ability, and will therefore be excluded. The GB adult population was 45.6 million people at the time of the survey. Please see the Framework section for more detail.