Buckle up, we’re traveling back in time.
Buckle up, we’re traveling back in time.
Buckle up, we’re traveling back in time.
Imagine a world where digital accessibility was an afterthought, leaving millions behind. But a few important moments changed everything. Let’s rewind the clock and explore three breakthroughs that reshaped how we experience the web.
Imagine a world where digital accessibility was an afterthought, leaving millions behind. But a few important moments changed everything. Let’s rewind the clock and explore three breakthroughs that reshaped how we experience the web.
Imagine a world where digital accessibility was an afterthought, leaving millions behind. But a few important moments changed everything. Let’s rewind the clock and explore three breakthroughs that reshaped how we experience the web.
Why Accessibility Matters
Why Accessibility Matters
Digital accessibility is about making online content and experiences usable for as many people as possible. While it’s often framed around supporting people with disabilities, accessible design actually benefits everyone.
Digital accessibility is about making online content and experiences usable for as many people as possible. While it’s often framed around supporting people with disabilities, accessible design actually benefits everyone.
Disability is more common than we think. It can be permanent, like vision or mobility impairments; temporary, like a broken arm or an ear infection; or situational, like using your phone in bright sunlight or holding a baby with one hand.
Disability is more common than we think. It can be permanent, like vision or mobility impairments; temporary, like a broken arm or an ear infection; or situational, like using your phone in bright sunlight or holding a baby with one hand.
Accessibility isn’t just a list of rules; it’s a way of thinking that helps everyone have better digital experiences. Let’s take a look at the key moments that changed how we design for inclusion.
Accessibility isn’t just a list of rules; it’s a way of thinking that helps everyone have better digital experiences. Let’s take a look at the key moments that changed how we design for inclusion.
Image from Microsoft
Ready
Ready
Ready
Set
Set
Set
Blast Off! 🚀
Blast Off! 🚀
Blast Off! 🚀
First Stop
First Stop
Section 508 is amended - 1998
Section 508 is amended - 1998
Section 508 is amended - 1998
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 bans federal agencies from discriminating against people with disabilities, including in jobs, financial aid, and technology. However, when the law was first passed, technology wasn’t as advanced as it is today. That’s why Section 508 was later updated to focus on digital accessibility. This amendment requires all federal agencies to make their websites and digital content accessible to people with disabilities.
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 bans federal agencies from discriminating against people with disabilities, including in jobs, financial aid, and technology. However, when the law was first passed, technology wasn’t as advanced as it is today. That’s why Section 508 was later updated to focus on digital accessibility. This amendment requires all federal agencies to make their websites and digital content accessible to people with disabilities.
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 bans federal agencies from discriminating against people with disabilities, including in jobs, financial aid, and technology. However, when the law was first passed, technology wasn’t as advanced as it is today. That’s why Section 508 was later updated to focus on digital accessibility. This amendment requires all federal agencies to make their websites and digital content accessible to people with disabilities.
Second Stop
WCAG 1.0
Released - 1999
WCAG 1.0
Released - 1999
WCAG 1.0
Released - 1999
Last Stop
Last Stop
VoiceOver released for Apple products - 2005
VoiceOver released for Apple products - 2005
VoiceOver released for Apple products - 2005
Have you ever wondered how people who are blind or have low vision use smartphones? They often use a tool called a screen reader, which reads out loud what’s on the screen. Apple’s built-in screen reader is called VoiceOver. This was a big step forward because back in 2005 most smartphone companies were focused on making devices faster, smaller, and cheaper, not on making them accessible to everyone. By choosing to prioritize accessibility, Apple strengthened its reputation as a leader in inclusive technology.
Have you ever wondered how people who are blind or have low vision use smartphones? They often use a tool called a screen reader, which reads out loud what’s on the screen. Apple’s built-in screen reader is called VoiceOver. This was a big step forward because back in 2005 most smartphone companies were focused on making devices faster, smaller, and cheaper, not on making them accessible to everyone. By choosing to prioritize accessibility, Apple strengthened its reputation as a leader in inclusive technology.
Have you ever wondered how people who are blind or have low vision use smartphones? They often use a tool called a screen reader, which reads out loud what’s on the screen. Apple’s built-in screen reader is called VoiceOver. This was a big step forward because back in 2005 most smartphone companies were focused on making devices faster, smaller, and cheaper, not on making them accessible to everyone. By choosing to prioritize accessibility, Apple strengthened its reputation as a leader in inclusive technology.
Hello! How can I help you?
Hello! How can I help you?
Hello! How can I help you?
Hello! How can I help you?
What's Next?
What's Next?
The Future of Accessibility
The Future of Accessibility
The Future of Accessibility
We've come a long way from these three major events, but we're not there yet. While accessibility awareness is growing and average error rates are slowly improving, millions of barriers still remain. According to a 2025 WebAIM analysis, over 50 million accessibility errors were detected across one million homepages. 94.8% of home pages had detected WCAG 2 failures in 2025 (WebAIM, 2025). Still, the number of pages with fewer errors is rising, showing signs of steady progress.
We've come a long way from these three major events, but we're not there yet. While accessibility awareness is growing and average error rates are slowly improving, millions of barriers still remain. According to a 2025 WebAIM analysis, over 50 million accessibility errors were detected across one million homepages. 94.8% of home pages had detected WCAG 2 failures in 2025 (WebAIM, 2025). Still, the number of pages with fewer errors is rising, showing signs of steady progress.
We've come a long way from these three major events, but we're not there yet. While accessibility awareness is growing and average error rates are slowly improving, millions of barriers still remain. According to a 2025 WebAIM analysis, over 50 million accessibility errors were detected across one million homepages. 94.8% of home pages had detected WCAG 2 failures in 2025 (WebAIM, 2025). Still, the number of pages with fewer errors is rising, showing signs of steady progress.
Even more promising, accessibility is being backed by policy. Legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) continues to mandate accessible digital experiences in the U.S. The updated Title II rule, which sets clear requirements for web and mobile accessibility for state and local governments, is a big step forward. Other countries around the world are also improved their accessibility laws, reinforcing that inclusion is not optional, it’s essential.
As we move forward, let’s continue to build with empathy, advocate for universal design, and remember that accessibility isn’t just a simple add on but fundamental for all!
Even more promising, accessibility is being backed by policy. Legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) continues to mandate accessible digital experiences in the U.S. The updated Title II rule, which sets clear requirements for web and mobile accessibility for state and local governments, is a big step forward. Other countries around the world are also improved their accessibility laws, reinforcing that inclusion is not optional, it’s essential.
As we move forward, let’s continue to build with empathy, advocate for universal design, and remember that accessibility isn’t just a simple add on but fundamental for all!
Even more promising, accessibility is being backed by policy. Legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) continues to mandate accessible digital experiences in the U.S. The updated Title II rule, which sets clear requirements for web and mobile accessibility for state and local governments, is a big step forward. Other countries around the world are also improved their accessibility laws, reinforcing that inclusion is not optional, it’s essential.
As we move forward, let’s continue to build with empathy, advocate for universal design, and remember that accessibility isn’t just a simple add on but fundamental for all!
Why Accessibility Matters
Digital accessibility is about making online content and experiences usable for as many people as possible. While it’s often framed around supporting people with disabilities, accessible design actually benefits everyone.
Disability is more common than we think. It can be permanent, like vision or mobility impairments; temporary, like a broken arm or an ear infection; or situational, like using your phone in bright sunlight or holding a baby with one hand.
Accessibility isn’t just a list of rules; it’s a way of thinking that helps everyone have better digital experiences. Let’s take a look at the key moments that changed how we design for inclusion.
Image from Microsoft