These days, unless you are one of the very few hunter/gathers still roaming the remote corners of Earth, you have heard of the internet. Except for those uncontacted tribes still roaming the Amazon, the internet is for us all. The ability to openly share ideas, information, services, and products cannot be overstated. However, according to the World Heath Organization “An estimated 1.3 billion people experience significant disability. This represents 16% of the world’s population, or 1 in 6 of us”. While they did not drill down on the data to determine how many of them had disabilities that limited from internet, there is still more than enough justification to improve accessibility.
WHO Disability Fact Sheet
Openness
Why?
A truly open internet will allow for people from all across the world to exchange ideas, and information. I believe that the more people are able to interact with each other, the more that we will start to realize that we have more in common than that we are different.
How?
We can start by advocating for affordable infrastructure to allow people in rural areas to gain access to the internet. Also by insisting that our governments enforce net neutrality by regulating internet service providers against discriminating or prioritize types of internet traffic.
Accessibility
Why?
As mentioned, nearly 16% of the world’s population has some kind of disability. While making our webpages and services more accessible will take more time and effort, 1.3 Billion people is no small number. Especially since more and more of our daily life requires access to the internet, it is no longer a convenience, it is a necessity.
How?
By ensuring that our webpages have accessible heading structure, alternative texts for images and videos, and descriptive link text. This simple changes will allow people using screen reading software to quickly understand and navigate your webpage. For more detailed information see: Word Press Accessibility Handbook.
