Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Did you know that today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day? Supporting over one billion people worldwide who have a disability, GAAD is an important initiative designed to raise awareness of the requirements for making web content accessible for every user. Its mission is to shake up the digital world to include accessibility as a core requirement.

Keep reading for a feature from Vacayit team member, Henry, on how accessible technology has affected the way he experiences the world…

Henry, on why digital accessibility matters

“I’m going to share a few thoughts on why digital accessibility is so important to me, in recognition of Global Accessibility Awareness Day.

For background, I am completely blind and moderately hearing impaired. I have been fortunate in growing up and experiencing the world as it has been transformed by digital technology. It isn’t so very long ago that I had to remember phone numbers to make calls, because I wasn’t able to see my Nokia brick’s display. Getting cash from the ATM without accessibility features was a challenge. The only way to do it was to get sighted assistance. Trying to interact with websites and programs that haven’t been designed with accessibility in mind was and still is hugely frustrating.

Technology that is accessible to me is essential to the way I live life and to the way I do work. I am sure all of you are in the same boat.

Image description: Phone in dark room with lit screen showing essential app icons

I use an iPhone that talks using screen reading software. I have personal and work computers that talk in the same way. I read Braille, and have a device that enables me to read braille from my iPhone or computers. I read my little nieces a children’s book in braille using Apple books the other day. I was able to read the story in braille on my device, and show them the pictures on my iPad. I use an app on my phone to make adjustments to my hearing aids. I am passionate about digital accessibility because it has the power to put the focus on what I am able to do instead of on what I can’t see.

This brings me to the point. We all rely on technology so much that if it were to break, we would be functioning far below what we are capable of. No doubt, we would find work-arounds to do what we need to do. However, it would almost certainly be harder; it will most likely require more time and effort; and will quite possibly cost us more. For example, how much easier is it to do your banking online, or your weekly shop online, than it is to go into the branch or store? Technology exists because it is supposed to make our lives easier.

Image description: Charcoal text reads “I am passionate about digital accessibility because it has the power to put the focus on what I am able to do instead of on what I can’t see” on a pink and yellow gradient background.

However, when accessibility isn’t given adequate consideration, technology can actively facilitate exclusion and discrimination. Think about what all this means for employment of people with disabilities, and perceptions about capability. Technology is so enmeshed in our lives that it could be said that we’re only as good as the technology we have access to, and our ability to use it.

All of the technology I use, and all that this technology enables me to do, would not be possible without a clear and unambiguous commitment to digital accessibility and universal design. Let’s get clear on what we mean by universal design, and I’ve found a definition which I think covers it off pretty well. Universal design is the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people, regardless of their age, size, abilities or disabilities.

Image description: Yellow text reads “universal design is the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people, regardless of their age, size, abilities or disabilities” on a charcoal background.

Universal design is a broad concept, because there is an enormous range of human experiences out there. Two people with exactly the same disability or functional limitation can end up using technology in completely different ways. Speaking about digital accessibility in broad terms is the only way to ensure that everyone is included in the discussion and the solution, no matter who they are or what they are able to do.

Accessibility matters to every aspect of life, and tourism is no exception to this. I am proud to lend my voice to support Vacayit’s mission to create an accessible travel platform, because it is ideas like this that have the power to shape the experiences of people with disability. It also shows up the benefits of immersive storytelling and experiences that benefit everyone.