Why Disability Doesn't Mean Unable
Challenging Misconceptions
It's vital that we challenge the persistent misconception that disability equals inability. This couldn't be further from the truth.
Disability simply means that people navigate the world differently and may require alternative pathways to access the same information and opportunities. People with disabilities are professionals, creators, innovators, and consumers with valuable perspectives and contributions.
Innovations That Benefit Everyone
In fact, history has shown us that designing with disability in mind often leads to innovations that benefit everyone. Consider:
- Texting was originally designed for deaf users but is now universal
- Voice assistants, initially created for accessibility, are now in millions of homes
- Captions, developed for the deaf and hard of hearing community, are now widely used in noisy environments or for learning new languages
When we design AI systems that work for diverse needs, we inevitably create better systems for everyone.
Practical Steps Toward More Accessible AI
Identify Current Barriers
How do we move forward? Here are concrete steps that AI creators, companies, and policymakers can take:
The answer, unfortunately, is largely no. Many AI creators and developers are not adequately considering accessibility in their design processes, potentially leaving millions of people behind. This oversight isn't just a technical issue, it's a matter of digital equality and human rights.
Understand the Current State
Let's examine where we stand today:
Many AI interfaces rely heavily on visual interactions, creating immediate barriers for those with visual impairments. Voice-activated systems often struggle with speech differences, accents, and speech impediments. Complex interfaces can be overwhelming for neurodivergent users or those with cognitive disabilities.
Recognize the Scale of the Problem
This systemic exclusion doesn't just affect a small minority. In the UK alone, approximately 16 million people live with a disability, that's nearly one in four people. Globally, over a billion people experience some form of disability.
Addressing the Captioning Gap
The Caption Crisis on Social Media
I'd like to highlight a particularly glaring example of accessibility failure: the lack of captions in video content across social media platforms, especially on X (formerly Twitter).
Despite having over 11 million people in the UK with hearing loss. That's one in six adults, most content creators on these platforms continue to post videos without captions. This effectively excludes a massive audience from participating in digital conversations and accessing information.
The Frustrating Reality
What makes this particularly frustrating is that:
- Many platforms now offer automated captioning tools, yet creators don't enable them
- Even prominent influencers and organisations with substantial resources rarely prioritise captioning
- When deaf and hard of hearing users request captions, they're often ignored or told to "just turn up the volume"
- AI tools could easily be deployed to generate quality captions, but this integration isn't being prioritised.
For Content Creators
Make captioning a non-negotiable part of your content workflow. Use available auto-caption tools, but always review for accuracy. Respond positively to caption requests instead of dismissing them. Consider audio descriptions for visual content to serve blind users.
For Platform Developers
Implement opt-out rather than opt-in captioning (make it the default). Develop better AI-powered captioning that captures tone, identifies speakers, and notes important sounds. Create accessibility ratings or badges for accounts that consistently provide accessible content. Make it easier to report inaccessible content, especially from official or verified accounts.
For AI Companies
Develop specialised AI caption generators that understand technical jargon, multiple accents, and background noise. Create plug-and-play captioning solutions that integrate with all major platforms. Ensure captioning tools are themselves accessible to creators with disabilities.
The technology to make all video content accessible already exists. What's missing is the prioritisation and implementation.
For Companies
Set Clear Requirements
For those of you in leadership positions, your commitment sets the tone. Establish clear accessibility requirements for all your products and services, and-this is crucial-be willing to delay launches if those requirements aren't met. Put accessibility on equal footing with security and privacy in your development priorities.
Invest in Expertise
Invest properly in accessibility expertise. This might mean hiring specialists, training existing staff, or both. It's not enough to have a single "accessibility person", build this knowledge throughout your organisation so it becomes part of your company culture.
Create Accountability
Create real accountability through metrics and goals. What gets measured gets done, so track your accessibility progress and make it part of performance reviews and team objectives.
Build Partnerships
Prioritise relationships with disability organisations like RNIB or AbilityNet. These partnerships provide invaluable guidance and keep you connected to the communities you're trying to serve.
For Policymakers
Create Clear Standards
It is more evident now than ever there is a need for clear, enforceable standards that specifically address AI and emerging technologies. The current regulatory landscape isn't keeping pace with innovation, and that gap allows exclusionary practices to flourish.
Enforce Meaningfully
Don't just create rules, enforce them meaningfully. Establish penalties that actually motivate compliance and create accessible ways for users to report problems.
Use Purchasing Power
Use the government's substantial purchasing power to drive change by requiring that all publicly procured technology meets rigorous accessibility standards.
Create Incentives
You can also create positive incentives for accessibility innovation through grants, tax benefits, and public recognition programmes.
Support Education
And finally, support education about digital accessibility at all levels, from university curricula to professional training. Building accessible technology requires knowledge and skills that must be cultivated throughout our educational system.
