Technology & Digital Access
The digital world should be accessible to everyone. Yet many websites, apps, and digital services exclude disabled people. This section covers digital accessibility standards, how to access technology, and creating inclusive digital spaces.
About This Section
Section titled “About This Section”Technology has the potential to increase disabled people’s independence, communication, and participation. But only if it’s designed accessibly from the start. Too often, accessibility is an afterthought or not considered at all.
This section covers Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), making technology accessible, using assistive technology, gaming accessibility, and advocating for digital inclusion.
Pages in This Section
Section titled “Pages in This Section”Making websites accessible. Covers WCAG standards, common barriers (images without descriptions, inaccessible PDFs, flashing content), testing for accessibility, and how to report inaccessible websites.
Accessibility in phones and operating systems. Covers screen readers (iOS, Android, Windows), magnification, voice control, keyboard navigation, and accessibility settings on different devices.
Technology enabling communication for people who can’t speak. Covers AAC devices (speech-generating devices), typing-based communication, visual supports, captions, and sign language interpretation.
Video games with accessibility options. Covers adaptive controllers, visual/hearing accommodations, cognitive considerations, game design accessibility, and disability gaming community.
Accessible social media practices. Covers alt text for images, video captions, content warnings, triggering content, and creating accessible social media content.
Centering disabled people in tech development. Covers “nothing about us without us” in technology design, disability data rights, and resisting surveillance technology targeting disabled people.
Quick Start: Digital Access
Section titled “Quick Start: Digital Access”I’m having trouble accessing a website
Section titled “I’m having trouble accessing a website”I want to use accessibility features on my phone
Section titled “I want to use accessibility features on my phone”I use or want to use AAC
Section titled “I use or want to use AAC”I want to know about accessible gaming
Section titled “I want to know about accessible gaming”I create social media content
Section titled “I create social media content”I want to advocate for digital inclusion
Section titled “I want to advocate for digital inclusion”Web Accessibility Standards
Section titled “Web Accessibility Standards”WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) are the international standards for web accessibility. Four principles:
Perceivable: Information should be perceivable in multiple ways
- Text alternatives for images
- Captions for videos
- Text readable in different sizes/colors
- Content not relying on color alone
Operable: Users can navigate and use the site
- Keyboard navigation (not just mouse)
- Enough time to read (not auto-playing, disappearing content)
- No seizure-inducing content (no flashing)
- Clear navigation and structure
Understandable: Content and navigation are clear
- Plain language (not jargon)
- Predictable behavior
- Consistent navigation
- Help and error prevention
Robust: Compatible with assistive technology
- Proper HTML structure
- Proper heading hierarchy
- Form labels
- ARIA markup for dynamic content
Common Accessibility Barriers
Section titled “Common Accessibility Barriers”Images without alt text: Visually impaired users can’t understand image content
PDFs that aren’t accessible: Can’t be read by screen readers; no text selection
Flashing content: Dangerous for people with photosensitive epilepsy
Autoplay video or audio: Overwhelming for many people; interferes with screen reader
Color-only information: People with color blindness can’t understand
No captions or transcripts: Deaf and hard-of-hearing people excluded from audio/video
Inaccessible forms: Can’t be filled in with keyboard or assistive technology
No skip navigation: Users have to go through entire menu every page
Tiny font with no resize option: People with low vision can’t read
Poor contrast: Hard to read for many people
Screen Readers and Assistive Technology
Section titled “Screen Readers and Assistive Technology”Screen readers are software that reads website content aloud or displays on Braille display. Common ones:
- NVDA (free, Windows)
- JAWS (paid, Windows)
- VoiceOver (built-in, Mac/iOS)
- TalkBack (built-in, Android)
- Narrator (built-in, Windows)
Screen reader users navigate websites using keyboard. Good keyboard navigation is essential for accessibility.
Mobile Accessibility
Section titled “Mobile Accessibility”All phones have built-in accessibility features:
iPhone (VoiceOver):
- Screen reader
- Magnification
- Large text
- Bold text
- Reduce transparency
- Increase contrast
- Color inversion
- Grayscale
- Speak selection
- Speak screen
Android (TalkBack, others):
- Screen reader
- Magnification
- Text-to-speech
- Color correction
- Mono audio
- Live captions
- Sound amplification
Windows (Narrator, Magnifier):
- Screen reader
- Magnifier
- High contrast
- Color filters
- Closed captions
- Voice access
Communication Access & AAC
Section titled “Communication Access & AAC”AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) means technology helping people communicate. Types:
Speech-generating devices: Devices that speak text the user enters
- iPad with AAC app (Proloquo4Text, TD Snap, etc.)
- Dedicated AAC devices (Tobii, Dynavox, etc.)
- Voice banking (recording voice for use by others)
Text-based communication: Typing messages
- Chat, email, text message
- Video relay service for phone calls
- Chat-based accommodations
Visual supports: Pictures helping communication
- Visual schedules
- Picture communication symbols
- Visual supports for understanding
Alternative formats: Communication access
- Captions for audio
- Sign language interpreters
- Braille
- Large print
- Audio description for visual content
Gaming Accessibility
Section titled “Gaming Accessibility”Video gaming is accessible with proper design:
Adaptive controllers:
- Xbox Adaptive Controller
- Modified controllers for people with limited dexterity
- Custom controllers designed for specific disabilities
- One-handed gaming options
Video game accessibility:
- Subtitle/caption options
- Colorblind modes
- Audio description
- Difficulty adjustment (not just “harder”)
- Remappable controls
- Blind-friendly games (audio-based games)
- Sensory-friendly modes
Accessibility in game design:
- Pauseable gameplay (for medical emergencies, fatigue)
- No time pressure unless essential
- Text-to-speech and speech-to-text
- High contrast options
- Colorblind-friendly palettes
- No seizure-inducing effects
Disability gaming community:
- Large and vibrant
- Accessibility advocates in gaming
- Accessible gaming events
- Online communities
Social Media Accessibility
Section titled “Social Media Accessibility”Creating accessible content on social media:
Alt text on images: Describe what’s in the image for visually impaired users
- “Describe the image for someone who can’t see it”
- Include text from image if relevant
- Avoid “image of” or “picture of” (already clear it’s an image)
Captions on video: Critical for Deaf and hard-of-hearing users
- Auto-captions often wrong; review and correct
- Full captions, not just summary
Content warnings: Help manage emotional responses
- Warn about: violence, death, body horror, flashing, etc.
- Allows people to opt-in to content
Accessible text:
- Plain language when possible
- Hashtags #LikeThis for screen readers (capitalize each word)
- Avoid all-caps for emphasis (screen readers read as acronyms)
- Break up paragraphs (easier to read)
Accessible links:
- Use descriptive link text (“Learn more about disability rights” not “click here”)
- Full URLs visible if linking to resources
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Section titled “Avoiding Common Mistakes”Don’t: Embed important text in images (use image + text below) Don’t: Use only color to convey information (add text, patterns, or icons) Don’t: Assume disabled people will manually adjust (build in options) Don’t: Make accessibility an afterthought (design accessibly from the start) Don’t: Require plugins or special software Don’t: Include flashing content (seizure risk)
Reporting Accessibility Issues
Section titled “Reporting Accessibility Issues”If a website or app is inaccessible:
- Check if there’s an accessibility statement/contact
- Email the site with specific issues
- Report to accessibility organization in your country
- Post publicly on social media
- File ADA complaint (if covered by ADA)
- Use accessibility feedback tools (WAVE, Axe, Lighthouse)
Disability Data and Technology
Section titled “Disability Data and Technology”Disability data rights:
- Your disability data is yours
- Don’t give it to companies unnecessarily
- Understand what data you’re sharing
- Resist surveillance (some tech tracks disabled people specifically)
Surveillance concerns:
- Disability data used for discrimination
- Biometric data
- Location tracking
- Prediction algorithms
- Guardianship monitoring
Your privacy and autonomy matter.
Contributing Technology Resources
Section titled “Contributing Technology Resources”Have you found accessible tech? Know about a website with barriers? Create accessible content?
We welcome contributions from disabled technologists, developers, content creators, and accessibility advocates.
Contribute to This Page
Section titled “Contribute to This Page”Have lived experience or expertise that could strengthen this page? We especially welcome perspectives on models not well represented here, including those from the Global South and Indigenous communities.
This page centers disabled people’s expertise and is informed by disabled-led organizing globally. For questions or to suggest additions, see How to Contribute.