If I were to ask you whether you think individuals with visual impairments should have internet access, what would you say? I presume you would agree that unrestricted internet access should be available to all, regardless of any disabilities or assistive technologies they utilise. This viewpoint is likely a reflection of your beliefs.
It’s logical and ethically right that equal opportunities should be available to all, but regrettably, very few individuals consider accessibility, and many don’t even think about it. It’s apparent that more measures are necessary to ensure that everybody is granted equal opportunities.
It’s unfortunate that technology isn’t adequately accessible for individuals with disabilities, particularly when we account for the fact that 15% of the global population has a disability. Failing to address the requirements of this substantial portion of the society also means neglecting the needs of the remaining 85% who are not impaired. It is incumbent upon us, not just out of basic decency, but for the welfare of the community, to guarantee that technology is available to everyone.
People have reported feeling empathy towards individuals with disabilities, even if they haven’t come across anyone with a disability. They endorse making technology as accessible as possible; however, due to their lack of interaction with those who have a disability, they may not be up-to-date with the advancements made in this field.
It’s reasonable that many of us could be misguided by this view, but it’s entirely untrue. Being aware of and investing in accessibility is crucial for all of us since it’s a significant concern that affects everyone.
Accessibility Features
It’s understandable that many individuals may question the significance of accessibility if it doesn’t affect them directly. However, we should bear in mind that disabilities can impact anyone, and it’s essential to speak up for those who are affected. We should all acknowledge the importance of easy access and extend our support, even if we aren’t personally impacted by the matter. By doing so, we can establish a society that is more inclusive for everyone.
I don’t intend to pass any value judgements; however, if it’s something you have contemplated, you may choose to answer a different question. How frequently do you use the closed captioning function, which is available on YouTube? Have you ever utilised the black-and-white theme option on various programs? Also, have you employed Siri at any point? I’m guessing that you responded affirmatively to at least one of these questions. In that case, I have good news for you: you’re making use of accessible features.
It’s apparent that the technologies originally intended to assist individuals with specific disabilities, such as hearing loss, visual impairment, or physical disability, have been modified to be advantageous for all. This is a prime example of inclusive design, which aims to make products and services simple and user-friendly for everyone. It’s reasonable to presume that everyone desires convenience, so why not make available accessible features to all? The accessibility features development team has worked diligently to ensure their work benefits everyone.
It has been noted that the technologies mentioned above have posed a challenge to designers and developers since they require thinking outside the conventional methods to provide disabled individuals with the necessary features. This is because the implemented features should be distinct from those utilised by non-disabled users. Fortunately, it’s frequently feasible to devise inventive solutions by adopting a creative approach, and these solutions can often benefit a sizeable number of users.
In light of this process, it’s evident that developers ought to give priority to accessibility features. However, an even more compelling argument exists in favour of doing so.
Capacity Limitations Will Catch Up With You
It might be unsettling to consider the likelihood of disability resulting from the natural ageing process; nevertheless, it’s essential to recognise the potential risks. While it’s improbable that you would become completely paralysed or blind, there’s a substantial possibility that you might become disabled in the future. Are you mindful of this? As we age, our cognitive abilities, vision, and hearing begin to diminish gradually. Even if you don’t require assistance currently, that doesn’t mean you won’t need it in the future.
It’s not only a matter of convenience: when we factor in the likelihood of concerns, stress, burnout, substance abuse, and other elements negatively impacting us, it’s evident that the significance of accessibility features should not be undervalued. For instance, excessive use of a computer monitor could harm vision, work stress could result in poor understanding, and alcohol consumption could impede movement. It’s crucial that we consider these issues when evaluating the importance of accessibility features.
In recent times, accessibility has evolved into a more intricate concept, incorporating a new layer: technological proficiency. This isn’t a coincidence; chances are that everyone knows a family member or friend who isn’t particularly tech-savvy. You might receive a call from a customer who’s having difficulty with a basic task, such as logging into Facebook, configuring a smart TV, or even adjusting their thermostat’s temperature. These may not necessarily be challenges linked to impairments, but they are still very much genuine.
It might be entertaining to imagine your father being stumped by modern technology, such as WhatsApp, but your parents were likely just as baffled when it came to setting up digital cable services. After all, they had mastered analogue systems that preceded them, and the shift to digital technology is a challenge that many of us encounter.
It’s simple to regard the notion of accommodating individuals with disabilities as unnecessary; however, with the growing dependence on digital technology (like the Internet of Things), those lacking technical skills might find themselves excluded from a significant portion of daily life and hence would require assistance.
As our community continues to rely more and more on digital technologies, it’s becoming increasingly evident that individuals who would benefit significantly from such developments but are unable to make use of them are being left behind. This divide is particularly conspicuous in domains like education, retail, and employment, creating a growing gap between the tech-savvy and the less fortunate without access to the latest technologies.
Emphasising Accessibility
To ensure that technology is accessible to all, we must take it into consideration as a pressing matter. Unfortunately, we haven’t reached the point where everyone can access and utilise these facilities with ease. As a result, it’s critical that we work together to guarantee that everyone has equal access to technology.
Given the current scenario, it’s imperative to ensure that everyone feels included. To achieve this goal, technology giants like Google, Microsoft, and Apple are putting forth significant efforts to ensure that their products and services are as inclusive and user-friendly as possible. However, success in granting people the freedom to make the best decisions for themselves isn’t guaranteed.
Businesses may not always possess the resources, time, or desire to investigate and implement the most appropriate accessibility solution for their products. As a result, it’s crucial to devise a comprehensive solution that can be customised to the unique requirements of disabled users by adjusting existing interfaces.
Morphic, the new operating system add-on, is a prime example of the growing trend towards personalisation. This software enables users to fully personalise their computer experience by making changes such as adjusting font size and relocating frequently used programmes to a more user-friendly area. This programme is intended to be tailored to each person’s specific requirements, similar to wearing customised glasses, where the general principle stays the same but is adapted to each individual user’s needs.
Despite the potential benefits these approaches offer in terms of enhancing accessibility to modern technology, there is still a requirement to discuss how to incorporate accessibility design into the development of new technologies. We cannot merely release new devices and then strive to make them accessible for individuals with disabilities at a later stage, as the technology of the future will be vastly distinct from what we use today.
If we fail to consider how individuals with speech impairments might utilise a voice assistant, we are already neglecting the potential of such technology. This applies not just to voice assistants, but to any experimental technology, such as virtual reality headsets, bionic implants, and other possible innovations emerging from a startup’s research and development lab.
It’s becoming increasingly evident that universal accessibility to technology is a tremendous boon to humankind. We should concentrate on establishing an equal platform and an open market, as it may lead to a new level of convenience and assistance for individuals, as well as offering distinct opportunities for engagement with the worldwide community that includes everyone. We can all concur that such advancements would be highly advantageous.
