In my most recent post, I talked about the tools and applications that allowed me to fully function and participate in the digital world. If you had the chance to read that blog, you might have noticed I was quite specific with the names and brands I mentioned. The reason for this is simple: not all brands or products are accessible to me. Some are better designed for accessibility, while others fall short, which is why it’s important to highlight the ones that work well in my case. I also touched briefly on accessibility in that post.
This time, I want to dive deeper into the barriers I face in the digital space. But before I do, let’s clarify something important: what do I really mean when I say “accessible,” especially in the context of disability? Accessibility isn’t just about being able to open an application or access a website. It goes beyond that. The real question is: can I navigate the content? Can I complete tasks independently without needing sighted assistance? That, for me, is what makes something accessible.
And here is where the problems start. Whenever we ask if something is truly accessible, we often discover that many digital products—websites, mobile apps, or documents—are not designed with accessibility in mind.
Without diving into too much technical detail, there are specific practices and processes required to make digital products accessible for people with disabilities. In fact, the benefits of digital accessibility extend far beyond those with disabilities. It also helps others, like the elderly or people who may not be as tech-savvy. In essence, making digital products accessible enhances the overall user experience for everyone.
While I’d love to geek out on topics like universal design, inclusive design, and digital accessibility, I’ll save the deeper discussions for future posts. But if this blog has piqued your interest, I encourage you to explore more about these concepts. They will give you a better understanding of the work I do and why it matters.
To wrap things up, I mentioned earlier that many of our digital barriers stem from issues related to accessibility. The good news is that there are specialists like me whose mission is to make digital products fully accessible to all users. We raise awareness, teach, and collaborate with digital practitioners to immerse them in the principles of digital inclusion. One day, I hope the seeds we plant will grow, and accessibility will become a natural part of the digital world.