What is accessible technology (AT)?
Our constitution, as well as the American with Disability Act, promises all Americans their inalienable civil rights – liberty, justice, and the pursuit of happiness...
...accessible technology and in particular – accessible websites and computers, play a part in assuring one’s human rights. Every website visitor needs to find the information they are seeking and perform the tasks they intend to perform (differently-abled or not) for fulfilling on his/her pursuits. Accessibility takes what was previously impossible, such as independent access to technology for a person with blindness, and makes it possible. It allows one to rise above and choose not to succumb to societal-defined limitations.
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Today, persons who are differently-abled have the option to contribute and participate in every aspect of life, just as other people do.
Accessible websites and computers let people independently conduct such matters as banking, access government benefits, apply for college, shop online, and play online games - access made possible, e.g., through installed software applications such as screen readers and speech recognition software.
For the first time in the history of the world, accessible websites and computers have made it possible for differently-abled visual users to have freedom and independence to access information. It can make all the difference between living a "normal" independent life and living a life of limited freedom and independence. Quite a monumental leap for individuals who society historically oftimes viewed as a liability - yes!