Regardless of the fact that most people now use the term “disability” to describe someone who has limited or no skills (in eyesight, speech, intelligence, and so on) and that it is a far better phrase than “handicapped,” “disability” will be relegated to the same category. Much progress has been made in the field of digital accessibility during the last two decades.
For example, as more people become aware of the difficulties that people face and the need for digital equality, the status of what it means to be disabled grows. Despite the fact that the majority of people are unaware of what digital accessibility entails, firm executives, government officials, and legal experts are increasingly aware of the necessity to aid those who use assistive technology in making productive and meaningful use of technology.
The gap between disabled and non-disabled people is narrowing as technology becomes more widely available and digitalization makes it easier for everyone to use. Although we are not yet at the point where we can say that specialized technology has eliminated all of the difficulties that a person with a disability may have, it has significantly eased dealing with life’s obstacles. Although some individuals believe that science and technology will one day eliminate all or the vast majority of illnesses, they admit that this day is yet several years away.
Yet, by having your website inspected, you can get a head start on accommodating people with these limitations right away. QualityLogic can send members of its staff to your site to look for methods to improve the pages. Whether it’s nicer colors, easier-to-read text, or other music and graphics, you’ll see an increase in visitors quickly.
Challenges From the Past
Examine how a blind person communicated, traveled, and shopped in the mid-twentieth century to get an idea of how far technology has progressed in the last 50 years. Telecommunications, typewriters, and Braille materials are all conveniently accessible.
Because books, periodicals, and newspapers were mailed to us by blind-specific libraries, we needed more access to them. The prescription bottle and soup cans labels were covered, and the buildings lacked Braille signage. It was possible to hear but not see what was on television.
A Lot of Effort to Get Around
Unless you lived in a big city with public transportation, taxis were prohibitively expensive if they were available in your area. The ability of passengers to travel by train or airplane was still being determined. There had to be something to help us navigate or discover ourselves. Large indoor venues were difficult to maneuver, necessitating the usage of orientation services or government assistance.
Purchasing in Person
Even if you had a job and could go around on your own, you needed to receive items and services from your employer or the owner of the firm. This support was only provided in unusual cases. Some people can go shopping alone, albeit it might be a stressful experience.
A Change for the Better
Technology has come a long way in the last 50 years! The examples below show what good, accessible technology and a host of imaginative ideas have done for us 50 years later, reinforcing our autonomy and propelling us up the equality ladder in a number of ways.
Technology That Enhances Communication
Zoom enables us to engage on a wide range of devices, from mobile phones to computer workstations. We make reports from anywhere with a Wi-Fi or mobile signal by using word processors, email, and text messaging. We can read nearly any magazine, book, or newspaper that catches our interest. Prescription bottles, as well as canned, boxed, and packaged foods, are now widely available.
This has been made feasible by excellent assistive technology such as screen readers, magnifiers, automated captioning systems, and instantly available digital information. We may now watch a range of television programs thanks to the introduction of descriptive video services (DVS). The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires most buildings to provide Braille markings on room signs and elevator controls.
It’s Easy to Plan a Trip
Rail and aircraft travel is now safe in many parts of the world, and smartphone ridesharing makes it easy to move around cities. GPS has increased our alternatives while making walking and driving more convenient. Augmented reality programs like AIRA and Be My Eyes broadcast live assistance from sighted individuals to our mobile devices, helping us to navigate new environments like large skyscrapers effortlessly.
Internet Shopping Has Become Commonplace
In the previous five years, the ability to have almost anything delivered directly to one’s door has made it significantly easier to get what one wants. Not only has online shopping enabled us to have items mailed to us, but it has also provided us with access to products and services that we would only know about if we had shopped in a store. Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, supermarket delivery will continue to be available.
Things have undoubtedly improved, but they are still far from perfect. Accessibility still needs a lot of work to improve and become the norm (expectation). PDFs and online forms are commonly inaccessible to people with disabilities because they lack critical features that allow them to be used. We could make travel easier if we had more freedom in where we went, but many e-commerce sites’ shopping still needs to be enhanced. But life now was substantially superior to life even twenty years ago.
QualityLogic and other software providers have helped businesses get on the right track by making their websites more digitally accessible. Businesses with a well-educated workforce may create game plans and designs for their software that can be used by everyone.
Because of Technological Advancements, Accessibility Has Improved
Technology innovations have aided us in doing routine tasks that most people take for granted. Although technology has permitted significant advancement, the majority of it has also been designed to make life easier for the majority of people. As the expression goes, “one person’s convenience is another person’s accessibility.” Food delivery benefits many people, but it is especially vital for those who are unable to drive or navigate a grocery store because of eyesight impairment.
As technology progresses, the gap between people with disabilities and the non-impaired will narrow more. Wearable technology, for example, will be able to see, hear, and comprehend what is going on around us thanks to 5G networks and ultra-fast AI and ML systems. Despite the fact that certain digital information is still being studied, access to websites, multimedia, mobile applications, and traditional office paperwork is increasing.
Technology is penetrating every aspect of our lives, from the touch displays on our appliances and workout equipment to the climate controls in our homes. To achieve our goal of full inclusion, we need total access to a wide range of digital information.
Although technological innovation has improved millions of people’s lives, genuine digital equality remains a long way off. Whatever your point of view, digital access is here to stay. Accept it and work to change it by raising awareness, training others, and collaborating. It will no longer be regarded as a means of making our lives easier and more enjoyable one day. Stay away from specific skill sets. It will serve as a model for effective digital marketing.
Enhance Your Website’s Usability
If you operate a business and want to make your website more digitally accessible, contact QualityLogic. We believe that everyone has the right to access, regardless of health or handicap. We will collaborate with you to educate and create a plan to allow everyone to visit your website.
In addition to these services, we use Wi-SUN test tools to assist enterprises in the smart energy sector in developing products that run on wireless intelligent utility networks. This testing includes establishing the hardware and software compatibility and functioning to ensure that anybody using the devices can provide dependable solutions and outstanding customer support.
Visit the QualityLogic website or contact us right now to learn more about the industries we serve and the services we offer. Whichever type of software service you want from us, we promise to provide cutting-edge work and prioritize you at all times.
