Even though most people currently use the term “disability” to describe someone who has less or no skills (in vision, speech, intelligence, etc.) and that it is a more appropriate phrase than “handicapped,” “disability” will be grouped in with “handicapped.” In the previous two decades, there has been a lot more success with digital accessibility.
For example, as more people become aware of the issues that individuals encounter and the need for digital fairness, the status of what it means to be disabled rises. Although most people are uninformed of what digital accessibility comprises, company executives, government officials, and legal experts are becoming much more conscious of the need to aid persons who use assistive technology in making fair and productive use of technology.
As technology becomes more widely available and globalization makes it easier for everyone to use, the divide between impaired and non-disabled persons is closing. While we are not yet at the stage where we can say that specialized technology has solved all of the issues that a disabled person may face, it has made conquering life’s hurdles considerably easier. Although some people believe that technological advances and scientific discoveries will one day eliminate all or the vast majority of diseases, they acknowledge that this day will be many years away.
Having your website evaluated, on the other hand, allows you to get a head start on accommodating visitors with these limitations right away. QualityLogic may send representatives to your site to investigate methods to improve the pages. Improved colors, easier-to-read writing, or additional music and images will instantly boost visits.
Problems From the Past
Imagine how a blind person interacted, went somewhere and purchased items in the mid-twentieth century to understand how far technology has progressed in the past 50 years. Telecommunications, keypads, and Braille materials were rare.
We required more access to books, magazines, and newspapers since they were delivered to us by blind-specific libraries. The labels on medicine bottles and soup cans were obscured, and there was no Braille signage in the buildings. What was on television could be heard but not seen.
It Was Challenging to Get Around
Taxis were excessively costly if they were available in your region unless you lived in a major city with public transit. Passengers’ ability to travel by rail or plane was still being evaluated. There has to be something that can assist us in navigating or discovering ourselves. It wasn’t easy to manage large indoor events, needing the use of orientation programs or government support.
Purchases Made in Person
Even if you are working and can get around on your own, you will need things and services from your employer or the owner of the organization. This assistance was only given in exceptional instances. Some individuals shop alone, albeit it can be a stressful experience.
A Smooth Transition
In the previous 50 years, technology has gone a long way! The following instances demonstrate what good, accessible technology and a slew of inventive ideas have done for us 50 years later, reinforcing our autonomy and moving us up the equality ladder in a variety of ways.
Communication Enhancing Technology
We can collaborate with Zoom on various platforms, including mobile phones and PC desktops. We create reports utilizing word processing tools, email, and text messaging from any location with a Wi-Fi or mobile signal. We can read almost any magazine, book, or newspaper that catches our attention. Prescription bottles are now commonly accessible, as are canned, boxed, and packaged meals.
Excellent assistive technologies, like screen readers, magnifiers, automatic captioning systems, and immediately accessible digital information, have made this possible. Because of the growth of descriptive video services (DVS), we may now view a variety of television shows. Most buildings are required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide Braille markings on room signage and elevator controls.
It’s Simple to Plan a Trip
Rail and aircraft travel is now considered safe in many parts of the globe, and mobile ridesharing makes getting around cities straightforward. GPS has expanded our options while making commuting and driving more convenient. Augmented reality apps like AIRA and Be My Eyes stream live assistance from sighted people to our mobile devices, helping us to traverse unfamiliar places like large skyscrapers easily.
Shopping over the Internet has become commonplace.
The capacity to have nearly anything delivered right to one’s door in the preceding five years has made it a lot simpler to obtain what one wants. Online shopping has not only enabled us to have stuff sent directly to us, but it has also given us access to goods and services that we would not have known about if we had bought in a real store. Thanks to DoorDash and GrubHub, grocery delivery will continue regardless of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Things have improved significantly, although they are still far from perfect. Accessibility still requires significant work to advance and become the standard (expectation). PDFs and online forms are usually inaccessible to people with disabilities because they lack fundamental characteristics that allow them to be used. We could ease travel if there were more places to go, but buying on many e-commerce sites still needs to be enhanced. Life now, on the other hand, is considerably superior to life even twenty years ago.
QualityLogic and other software suppliers have assisted businesses in getting back on track by making their websites more digitally accessible. Companies with a well-educated workforce may develop software game plans and designs that are accessible to everybody.
Technology Has Made Accessibility Easier
Technology advancements have benefited us in doing fundamental chores that most people take for granted. Although technology has greatly aided growth, the majority of it was also created to make most people’s lives easier. According to the saying, “One person’s comfort is another individual’s accessibility.” Food delivery benefits many individuals, but it is essential for those who are unable to drive or navigate a grocery store due to vision impairment.
As technology advances, the divide between handicapped individuals and those who are not disabled will close even further. Because of 5G networks and ultra-fast AI and ML systems, wearable technology, for instance, will be able to see, hear, and comprehend what is going on around us. Notwithstanding the fact that certain digital data is still being inspected, access to websites, multimedia, mobile applications, and traditional office paperwork is increasing.
From the touch screens on our smartphones and exercise equipment to the thermostats in our houses, technology is permeating every part of our lives. To realize our aim of full inclusion, we need unlimited access to a wide variety of digital content.
Despite the fact that technological advancement has improved the lives of millions of people, digital equality remains a long way off. Regardless of your viewpoint, digital access is here for the long haul. Accept it while trying to make it better via education, training, and cooperation. It will no longer be seen as a tool to make our lives easier and more pleasurable. Avoid specialized skill sets. It will act as a guide for successful digital marketing.
Improve the Usability of Your Website
Contact QualityLogic if you own a business and want to make your website more digitally accessible. We think that everyone, regardless of health or disability, has the right to access. We will work with you to educate and build a strategy that will allow everyone to access your website.
We also employ Wi-SUN test tools to help smart energy firms create devices that function on wireless intelligent utility networks. This testing entails evaluating hardware and software interoperability and functionality to guarantee that whoever utilizes the devices can deliver dependable solutions and exceptional customer service.
To read more about the businesses and services we represent, please visit the QualityLogic website or call us right now. We pledge to give cutting-edge work and prioritize you at all times, regardless of the sort of software solution you require from us.
