Making Digital Information Available to All
What the American Foundation for the Blind learned through the Barriers to Digital Inclusion Survey, and steps to make digital information fully accessible.
People need access to digital information to be part of modern life. But many websites and mobile apps are not accessible for people with disabilities (see glossary below). This includes people who are blind, have low vision, or are deafblind. When digital information is not accessible, people with disabilities do not have equal opportunity. They also do not have social and financial independence. This limits their role in society. People in charge of public policy, businesses, and website and software development can make digital information accessible to all people with disabilities.
About AFB’s research on this.
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) conducted the Barriers to Digital Inclusion Survey in November-December of 2022. The goal was understanding to what extent websites and mobile apps are hard to use by Americans who are blind, have low vision, or are deafblind. (People with other disabilities have problems with digital information, too.) AFB surveyed 398 people who told us how often they have problems using websites and mobile apps. They also told us how those problems affect them.
What did the researchers learn?
Blind, low vision, and deafblind people use websites and mobile apps to find goods and services like everyone else. But too many of these websites and apps are hard or impossible for these people to use. Many people surveyed had accessibility problems at least once a day: 21% of them with websites and 28% with mobile apps. The most common problems were in these areas:
- Booking travel
- Online shopping
- Job searching
- Education: taking online college classes and student information for parents
- Online dating
Why is this a problem?
Not being able to use the same technology as people without disabilities limits the independence of blind, low vision, and deafblind people. They can’t be part of some activities and opportunities. Technology that is not accessible may make it harder to work, learn, or buy things they need. These survey answers show how big the problem is:
- 44% of website users and 41% of mobile app users said they will switch to a different business for service if the technology is not accessible.
- 79% of website users and 78% of app users say they don’t have as much independence as others when using websites and apps.
- 59% of website users and 63% of app users said they have less choice in which businesses to use for digital services.
- When asked what specific access barriers happen the most, many people said buttons or other elements were not labeled. They also said images were not described with alt text and elements did not work with screen readers. For people with low vision, the contrast was not high enough or the text was too small.
Who needs to take action to change this?
Businesses, technology companies, government agencies, schools, and service providers must make their websites and applications fully accessible. The federal government also has a role to play.
What changes does AFB recommend based on the research?
- The federal government must enact and enforce laws and regulations that require digital accessibility for customers and employees with disabilities. This includes issuing regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. The government should also provide free technical assistance to help organizations follow the law. In addition , passing the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act would ensure that businesses can rely on outside vendors and even hold them accountable for developing accessible websites and apps.
- Businesses and organizations that use or make websites and applications should follow up-to-date accessibility standards. They should also hire website and software creators and managers who know how to build, maintain, and buy accessible digital technologies.
- Computer science teachers at universities must include accessibility lessons in all areas of their classes.
Download the Report Read the Entire Report Online
Glossary of Terms
Accessible: When used to describe a website or app, it means that it can be used by people with disabilities the same way it is by people without disabilities. Accessible websites and apps let people with disabilities access the same information, engage in the same interactions, communicate as effectively, and enjoy the same services. They also provide the same privacy, independence, and ease of use.
Alt text: A written description of an image.
Digital inclusion: Making websites, mobile apps, and video programming accessible to people with disabilities.
Screen readers: Software that reads text out loud or uses a braille display so people who are blind, low vision, or deafblind can read a computer screen.
