I suppose, unlike years gone by, where someone with a disability was hidden away, most of the world is more accepting now. However, there are some parts of the world that see a person with a disability as a second-class citizen, even crossing over the road to avoid them.
Even with Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was the 32nd President of the United States, who had polio. Some supporters felt that people would see him as weak, due to seeing him in a wheelchair, but this was not the case at all.
Is Society Actually Aware of People’s Disabilities?
Ask yourself these questions:
- Are we aware of people’s disabilities?
- How many times have you walked past someone with a noticeable impairment?
- Are you then aware of that disability and the barriers they may have to overcome?
Most of the barriers in society are actually by our making. If we did not put them up, then we would have the technology and means to eradicate that barrier.
Hidden Disabilities
What about people you have walked by, or even work with, that have a hidden disability? For example, people with Dyslexia, ADHD, Alzheimer’s, cognitive impairments, and a lot more.
Since I lost my sight I can see more disabilities, no matter whether they are hidden or not. To be honest, I don’t think I had really noticed previously, even though I used to teach at the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA). The helpers got people onto the horse, and depending on their ability on the horse, I taught them according to that ability.
Working With Someone Who Has A Disability
Perhaps it is a little bit like working with someone with a disability. After working together for a while, you forget about the person’s disability, and rightly so. However, this does cause problems at times, for example people sometimes forget that I can’t see, then refer to something on the notice board or send a screenshot of something with no alt text (alternative text). This is where awareness comes in.
The Staff Experience At Accessibility Services
Here at Accessibility Services, we have individuals with different sorts of disabilities, which cover abilities to use websites. By using our knowledge and lived experience, we can assess a client’s website and help in removing digital barriers to allow everyone to use them. After an audit, we provide a robust report that shows what errors have been discovered and raise necessary awareness on what’s needed to create a website with inclusive design throughout. In turn, enhancing the user experience for everyone, no matter what device or software someone may use.
Are You Disability Aware?
- Is your company or yourself disability aware?
- What about in your daily life, do you accidentally put a barrier up to stop someone with a disability going where they want to?
- What about at the workplace, do you treat anyone differently, or share documents that are inaccessible?
- What about your company’s website and intranet, are they accessible or are there barriers stopping people from interacting with your company?
If you think your organisation may have some accessibility barriers, then please contact us and we can help you to remove them and shape an inclusive future for all.