Accessibility and disability: Changes I’d like to see in 2021 and beyond

My first blog post of the new year would usually consist of me sharing some of my goals for the upcoming year.  like many others, I’m taking this year one step at a time; I’m not setting myself any strict goals, I’m focusing on myself and those around me.

I wanted my first blog post of 2021 to focus on some of the changes that can be made in order to make the world more accessible for disabled people. What better way to start a new year than looking forward to the future?

 

In order for us to help create a more accessible, equal society for everyone, change needs to happen. But for those changes to happen, we need to have conversations.

We need to work together, listen to each other, take note and act.

But first and foremost, disability and accessibility need to be a priority.

As my first blog post of the new year, I’m starting those conversations and sharing some of the changes I’d like to see in 2021 and beyond.

 

Accessible websites

We live in a world that is dominated by technology. You can do most things online within a few clicks.

But when it comes to accessible websites, we still have a long way to go. Coming across inaccessible websites is an issue I regularly face, and it is also one of the most frustrating. You may think that it’s not a big deal, but it really is. If a website isn’t accessible, it is turning disabled people away, as well as excluding us.

Accessible websites opens up the world for everyone.

Last year, I wrote a piece for The Big Hack by Scope about some of the most annoying website features I face as a blind person. It’s the most popular article I have ever written and one that I’m extremely proud of. But the stats also tell me that we still have a long way to go in terms of making the digital world accessible for all.

Similarly, when I look through my social media feeds, there’s only a handful of images, videos, memes and gifs that are accessible, and that needs to change.

The online world should be accessible for everyone.

 

Flexible working

Over the last few months, many of us have been working from home. Our work has been adapted to adjust to this new normal, and both employers and employees have had to adapt their way of working.

Flexible working has had to take place in order to account for people’s personal situations due to the pandemic.

Disabled people are more than twice as likely to be unemployed as non-disabled people. It’s a striking statistic isn’t it?

There is more that can be done to bridge the employment gap for disabled people.

Reasonable adjustments such as flexible working can make a huge difference for many of us. Flexible working means working a pattern that suits our needs. There are often many added benefits of flexible working for everyone.

It shouldn’t be frowned upon, employees should feel confident to ask for it, rather than feeling scared or worried, and employers should be accommodating.

 

Materials to be offered in accessible formats.

Everyone should be able to access the information they need – whether it’s important, confidential information such as hospital letters or bank statements, or being able to read information when out and about such as having access to a braille or large print menu in a restaurant.

Everyone should be able to access information in their preferred format. We should be able to read letters, documents and information quickly, easily and independently.

I’d love to receive letters in an accessible format, despite asking for it time and time again to no avail. I’d like to walk into a restaurant and ask for a braille menu without being met with confusion or being told that they no longer provide them.

 

For accessibility to be a priority

I’d like to think that the world has improved when it comes to certain areas of accessibility, but we still have a long way to go.

A vast amount of businesses are inaccessible to disabled people for various reasons, often with nothing being done to resolve the issues.

Accessibility means something different to everyone, but it should always be considered.

The lack of accessibility leaves disabled people feeling frustrated, isolated and forgotten. But when accessibility is considered, disabled people feel included and most importantly, we feel equal.

Accessibility should be at the heart of everything you do. Whether it personally makes a difference to your life or not, accessibility should always be considered and made a priority.

It can often feel like accessibility is brushed under the carpet and disregarded, but that shouldn’t be the case.

 

For disabled people to be treated as individuals

One common assumption is that people with the same disability/condition all have similar experiences. Whilst there may be some overlap in certain aspects, our lives are not the same. We all go on our own, unique journey in life.

I’ve spoken before about the spectrum of vision impairment, and this is a great example of the differences within disability. Vision impairment is so varied and is different for everyone, so is every other disability and chronic illness.

We all have unique experiences of life with a disability. What works for one person may not work for another.

We don’t fit into a box – we are all unique and individual in our own ways.

 

To be seen as who we are

My vision impairment is a huge part of my life, but I am so much more than my disability, and so is every other disabled person. I have my differences and the things that set me apart from everyone else, but that’s okay.

Having a disability dictates certain aspects of our lives – we may need adaptions or reasonable adjustments, and we might do certain tasks differently to others. These aspects of our disability should be recognised, but they shouldn’t impact on the way we are treated by other people.

Our disability may shape our lives in many ways, it may be a part of our identity, but it doesn’t take away the other aspects that make us who we are.

 

Equal opportunities for everyone

Equality has improved a lot over the years, but there is still more that can be done. Disabled people are still denied opportunities and seen as inadequate or less compared to non-disabled people.

Having equal opportunities gives us freedom and independence, it helps us live the life we want to. Equality is about being treated the same as everyone else, having the same opportunities and access to the support and services we need.

Equal access should put disabled people on a level playing field, ensuring that we are treated fairly and not discriminated against.

Everyone should be given the opportunity to achieve their potential and to succeed.

People often ask me “how did you get a degree?” or seem shocked when I tell them that I work. I worked hard to get to where I am today, but my disability doesn’t define or dictate my capabilities.  With adaptions, reasonable adjustments and support, disabled people can achieve their full potential.

 

For disabled people not to be forgotten

Due to the lack of accessibility, other people’s assumptions or societal barriers we can often feel forgotten and left behind, this has become even more apparent during the global pandemic.

When basic accessibility requirements aren’t met, or we are overlooked, we feel like an afterthought.

We want to be included, considered and to have the same access and opportunities as everyone else.

I want to be treated equally to my sighted peers, for my vision impairment not to be a barrier, and to be seen for who I am.

 

I believe that change can happen, but we need to work together in order to make a difference and create a world that’s accessible to all.

What changes would you like to see in 2021 and beyond? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear from you.

 

Holly x