Third of December is a United Nations defined day of persons with disabilities (opens in new window). It’s about promoting and building awareness around rights and well-being of persons with disabilities throughout the societies. I like the concept of days with special meaning but also agree with people that want to spread their message throughout the year.
Focusing on important subjects like that deserves all-year-around efforts. That is why I like to do my best to implement, improve and consult around digital accessibility. It should be our common mission and I can notice that it’s getting more focus around the technology oriented groups of people. We need to keep it up and improve the awareness and knowledge, so that it will really be an integrated part of overall activities. So such days help a bit, for sure. But we have to span them over the whole year.
Many of us are only temporarily abled
I did not make up this title (“Many of us are only temporarily abled”) – I just paraphrased the original “We are all only temporarily abled” as it is not quite true – it does not include up to 25% of people that are already disabled. I think that it is more correct but that is not as important as it’s message – even if you are currently not having any disabilities you might get them in the future.
Populations are generally getting older because humanity can prevent or cure some diseases. I wish this would be more fairly spread through the world, so that also less privileged groups of world population will benefit this more. But the fact is that we have good chances to live longer. And with this positive fact we do get more risks to acquire a temporarily or permanent disability. So once again – investing in accessibility now is like saving for the pension.
Investing in accessibility now is like saving for the pension.
me – reflecting on the future
Thinking about disabilities and how to make things accessible should not be limited to specialists and closed circles of professionals. More of us should learn more on the subjects, especially on the barriers and how not to make them. Empathy could help but it’s key to educate more people about the problems and solutions. That’s why I like to dedicate my work and free time to learn more about disabilities and also how to make digital things accessible for as many as possible.
It’s way easier to make the digital world accessible than to fix the problems in the physical world. I really believe so. It’s also getting more and more important, especially in these strange pandemic times. So there should really be no excuses. And people responsible for making digital products should embrace accessibility and elevate it beyond compliance and conformance but as a sincere goal worth more than aesthetics and trendiness.
