Common Misconceptions About Accessibility

There are some common misconceptions about accessibility and technology; understanding these will help comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and reduce restrictions or miscommunication with a wide population of customers. 

People Who are Blind Don’t Use the Internet

False. The only difference between people who are sighted and those who are blind is their vision. People who are blind participate in the world in every way like everyone else. They simply require accommodations for equal access. Braille, audio cues, and other modifications allow people who are blind to participate equally in the physical world. Access to the digital world is no different. Individuals who are blind often use screen readers, keyboards, and other assistive technology to access information. Unfortunately, if not coded for accessibility, these screen readers don’t work. It is this type of exclusion that can lead to legal action.

People with Disabilities Comprise a Very Small Portion of the Population

False. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 15% to 20% of the world’s population is disabled. It is critical that we widen our view of what “disability” means. The range of disabilities is more than blind, deaf, or immobile. People with color blindness, low vision, dyslexia, those who suffer from seizures, and a range of cognitive disabilities impact the ability of individuals to consume digital content.

To Achieve Digital Accessibility, You Need to Redesign your Website.

False. AudioEye is solving technical issues with technology, remediating issues of accessibility on existing websites without altering the form or function of a site, and helping companies mitigate risk. From Day 1, the AudioEye technology identifies and fixes the most common issues of accessibility, all behind the scenes. AudioEye goes beyond accessibility to enhance usability for all site visitors, especially aging populations with low vision, nearly 1 in 10 people with dyslexia, and anyone who better understands information by listening rather than reading. The AudioEye Toolbar, which is part of the AudioEye Managed Service, addresses these and a range of disability use cases (or needs).

Important Note

• For more information about AudioEye, please contact your Customer Success Manager.