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.
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.
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.
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) are the international standards for web accessibility. Four principles:
Perceivable: Information should be perceivable in multiple ways
Operable: Users can navigate and use the site
Understandable: Content and navigation are clear
Robust: Compatible with assistive technology
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 are software that reads website content aloud or displays on Braille display. Common ones:
Screen reader users navigate websites using keyboard. Good keyboard navigation is essential for accessibility.
All phones have built-in accessibility features:
iPhone (VoiceOver):
Android (TalkBack, others):
Windows (Narrator, Magnifier):
AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) means technology helping people communicate. Types:
Speech-generating devices: Devices that speak text the user enters
Text-based communication: Typing messages
Visual supports: Pictures helping communication
Alternative formats: Communication access
Video gaming is accessible with proper design:
Adaptive controllers:
Video game accessibility:
Accessibility in game design:
Disability gaming community:
Creating accessible content on social media:
Alt text on images: Describe what's in the image for visually impaired users
Captions on video: Critical for Deaf and hard-of-hearing users
Content warnings: Help manage emotional responses
Accessible text:
Accessible links:
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)
If a website or app is inaccessible:
Disability data rights:
Surveillance concerns:
Your privacy and autonomy matter.
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.
Last updated: [Date]
Maintained by: DisabilityWiki Technology & Digital Access Team
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