You’ve probably opened YouTube Shorts or TikTok and come across a video with subtitles. More and more videos have started adding subtitles to increase audience retention and engagement, but these were originally created as an accommodation for deaf people. You have most definitely used or seen an automatic door. They are in nearly every grocery store, hotel, hospital and airport. Alongside elevators, these were also originally created as an accommodation, specifically for wheelchair users. However, because this accommodation exists, non-wheelchair-users can also traverse buildings faster and with less effort, especially if they’re carrying heavy objects.
The International Dyslexic Association found that 40% of children will learn to read regardless of the instruction provided. That means that 60% need a teacher to instruct them, and of those 60% only 20% are dyslexic. Many schools teach children how to read from the same curriculum, and while the first 40% of children might not have a problem with this, the other 60% might require more specialized instruction. Some accommodations include simple written instructions, providing instructions one step at a time or connecting visual and verbal information. An example of that is saying the word cat and also showing a picture of a cat helps connect the word to a physical object.
Voice assistants like Siri and Alexa were originally made for people with motor impairments but are now used by everyone for telling time, setting timers and making phone calls. They are great for situations in which you might need to multitask, like when you’re driving and calling family or cooking and needing a timer but your hands are occupied. For drivers under the age of 18 in NC it is illegal to use a phone, even hands free, while driving with the exception of GPS set up before driving starts or contacting emergency services.
‘Dark mode’ was made for those with light sensitivity but now many people prefer it as it reduces eye strain. It also saves battery and makes falling asleep easier at night.
Text-to-speech and audio books were both made for blind people and dyslexic people, but now are used for multitasking. People can drive, cook or clean while listening to their favorite books.
Ramps are another helpful addition to daily life; almost every sidewalk has one and many people use it for bikes, luggage, strollers and waggons, but they were originally put in for wheelchair users. They have become a staple of every sidewalk and improve city life.
“That’s what accessibility for all aims at: improving everybody’s lives,” said writer Carole Martinez from Okeenea. Martinez writes articles about accessibility and wants to scrutinize all misconceptions related to disabilities because she believes in the possibility of having an inclusive and caring society for all, without leaving anyone aside.
Accessibility is helpful to everyone, not just disabled people. If someone needs to use an accommodation, that’s for them to use if they need it. Today, accommodations exist to help everyone; though they were created for a select few, they are a benefit to all.
