Inclusive Technology: Challenging Ableism and Creating an Equitable Future
A Call to Action for Disability-Inclusive Design
As we enter the technological innovation and digital revolution era, we must prioritize accessibility and inclusivity in the development process. Yet, despite growing awareness of the importance of inclusive design, research shows that technology is still being designed without considering the needs of people with disabilities, leading to a narrative of exclusion and ableism.
The exclusionary narrative perpetuated by ableist practices contributes to systemic barriers and inequalities, preventing disabled people from achieving equitable access and fully participating in society. Furthermore, it reinforces ableist assumptions and practices that limit the scope of what is possible.
Technology is rife with exclusionary design choices that prevent disabled people from accessing information and participating fully in society, such as websites that are not accessible to screen readers or mobile apps that do not offer adjustable text size or color contrast. According to a 2021 WebAIM survey, only 2% of websites are fully accessible to people with disabilities. Design choices have significant consequences for disabled people who rely on technology to access information and participate in society.
Design choices have significant impacts on the ability of disabled people to participate fully in society and access the resources they need to live and thrive. For instance, a blind individual may struggle to navigate a website without proper headings and link structures. At the same time, a person with photosensitive epilepsy may experience seizures triggered by flashing or rapidly changing images.
The exclusionary design of technology is not inevitable, nor is it the result of a lack of understanding or knowledge. Instead, it is a product of deeply ingrained ableist attitudes and practices normalized and reinforced throughout our society. It is time to challenge this ableist status quo and demand inclusive design and accessibility in technology.
Disabled people must be included in every stage of the development and implementation of technology, from ideation to rollout. Companies must prioritize accessibility and inclusion in their products and services. Including disabled people in the development and testing of technology can provide a more authentic and nuanced understanding of the issues at hand.
However, it is not enough to only consider disability. Intersectionality is a crucial factor that must be considered when designing technology. Disability intersects with other identities, and thus, excluding disabled people from the development process perpetuates other forms of discrimination. For example, a disabled person who is also LGBTQIA may face additional barriers when accessing technology, such as discriminatory content or a lack of inclusive design.
When disability intersects with technology, there are many possibilities for innovation and empowerment. Assistive technologies, such as voice recognition software, can enable people with visual or motor impairments to use computers and mobile devices. Augmented reality and virtual reality technologies can provide new ways for people with disabilities to experience and interact with the world. And accessible social media and online communities can facilitate connections and support for disabled people.
To create a more accessible, inclusive, and equitable future for all, we must prioritize accessibility and inclusivity as fundamental principles in technology development. This requires actively seeking and incorporating diverse perspectives and experiences in the design process. By advocating for disability-inclusive design in our workplaces, schools, and local communities, supporting disability rights organizations, and educating ourselves on disability issues and experiences, we can take concrete steps to promote inclusive design and accessibility in our spheres of influence. It is time to take action and challenge the ableist status quo and demand that technology serves everyone.
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