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MAKING TECH WORK FOR EVERYONE
Gabby Austen-Browne , founder of Diversity Alliance , discusses how tech can innovate to become more inclusive
s events become more aware of accessibility in the physical sense , it ’ s key that we also consider accessibility in the digital sense . Inclusion in tech is continuing to gain momentum . Bolstered by regulations like the Equal Opportunities Act , Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ) and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines ( WCAG ) 2.1 , organisations recognise the business and social imperatives for equity in digital experiences .
As with anything that makes experiences more inclusive and
-- accessible , prioritising accessibility makes smart business sense . With over £ 9tn in disposable income , the disability community represents a largely untapped market , so building products and services tailored to their needs increases our opportunity to reach a more diverse range of participants . From my own experience , accessible experiences benefit more than just users with disabilities . For example , closed captions aid
“ While progress is being made in the accessibility space , technology still struggles to accommodate many with disabilities .” language learners and increased colour contrast helps low vision users . Accessibility features inherently enhance usability for all ( who else likes to pop the subtitles on when watching a TV show or movie ?).
It ’ s important to design our digital experiences with inclusivity in mind . This requires considering diverse perceptual and interactive needs across the disability spectrum . For the visually impaired , alt text descriptions make images comprehensible ; captions open audio content to those with hearing loss ; adjustable font sizes and colour contrasts empower users with low vision or colour blindness ; and keyboard compatibility and
Gabby Austen-Browne
clear navigation aid those with dexterity or cognitive limitations in accessing information .
I am seeing a huge uptick in clients looking to make digital experiences inclusive and have worked with them on ensuring websites , event registration pages and social media are accessible . But more than that , we need to look at digital experiences in the live event setting too . For example , how are users engaging with the technology we use onsite ?
With AI becoming a prominent fixture in our work , there are opportunities to use AI , such as for voice assistance , real-time captioning and more advanced screen readers . Creating accessible technology and digital experiences requires embracing inclusive design methodologies . Developers , designers and product teams should receive accessibility training , conduct user testing with disabled individuals , and apply universal design principles that focus on flexibility and simplicity . To use my favourite terms - an empathy-based , user-centric approach will lead to innovations that work for everyone .
While progress is being made in the accessibility space , technology still struggles to accommodate many with disabilities . Let ’ s change that by being more mindful around inclusive design and consider how we can harness tech ’ s potential to empower those with disabilities . CN
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