Ensuring Digital Accessibility through Process and Policy

Chapter 3

The discriminatory impact of digital inaccessibility

Introduction

Before the advent of digital technology, separate formats were often required for effective communication to persons with a variety of disabilities. For example, offering textual content in separate formats for those with print disabilities was not the product of discrimination, but a fact of life. Print was inherently visual, so individuals whose vision or ability to process visually presented material was limited could not access printed text. Pages had to be turned, so those who could not use their hands also required separate content formats.

Textual content in separate (accessible) formats was sparse in quantity, more costly than commercial printed content, and often ...