Digital Accessibility for the Blind: Tools, Challenges and Solutions
- SensAble
- Jun 3
- 6 min read
Table of Contents:
Imagine logging on to your favourite website and being met with silence. No cues, no labels, just a blank canvas. This is not fiction — it's reality for millions of blind and visually impaired users navigating the internet every day. While most of us scroll, click, and tap without thinking twice, those with vision loss often hit invisible walls due to poor digital design.
Digital accessibility for the blind is about more than compliance; it's about giving people equal opportunity to live, work, communicate, and thrive in a digital-first world. From sending a message and booking a cab to attending online classes and managing bank accounts, accessibility determines whether someone can participate fully or be left out entirely.
In this blog, we’ll explore the digital universe through the lens of blind users. We’ll unpack everyday hurdles, showcase life-changing tools, and shed light on how developers, designers, and brands can become powerful allies in the journey toward digital inclusion.
Stick around to understand how we can all contribute to building a digitally accessible future.
Key Takeaways:
Blind users face systemic challenges in navigating today’s internet due to poor design and exclusionary tech practices.
Tools like screen readers, braille displays, and voice assistants are life-changing — but only when websites and apps are built accessibly.
Thoughtful design, semantic HTML, and mindful text/image use can vastly improve digital experiences for the blind.
Developers and brands have a huge part to play in driving accessibility for the blind.
The future of accessible digital is great, but it requires deliberate effort, universal design, and ongoing advocacy.
Knowing Digital Accessibility
Let's begin with a basic fact: the internet wasn't necessarily created with disability in consideration. But as the digital world becomes the real world for work, play, learning, and connection, that’s no longer acceptable.
Digital accessibility means designing websites, apps, devices, and online platforms so that everyone, including those with disabilities, can perceive, navigate, interact with, and contribute to them. For blind and visually impaired people, it’s about ensuring that digital content is usable even without sight.
Think of it this way: A button labelled “Submit” that says nothing to a screen reader is like a locked door with no handle. You know something’s there, but you can’t open it.
When we talk about accessibility for blind users, we’re talking about everything from whether a website has alt text on images, to whether a screen reader can understand the layout of an app, to whether voice assistants can execute a task hands-free.
And yet, despite clear international guidelines like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), the internet remains cluttered with unlabeled buttons, visual-only instructions, and poor contrast that excludes millions.
Common Challenges Faced by Blind Users Online
Despite growing awareness and the proliferation of assistive tools for the blind, blind consumers continue to encounter enormous roadblocks on the web, in applications and devices. Not only are these infuriating — they are isolating, making it an absence of access to education, employment, and social interaction.
Let’s take a deeper look at the most common challenges:
Unlabeled or Vague Buttons: Buttons that are simply labelled “click here” or worse, not labelled at all, make it impossible for screen readers to convey their function. A button without a proper label is like handing someone a key without telling them what door it opens.
Missing Alt Text on Images: If an image contains vital content (e.g., a promotional banner with sale info or a product image with specs) but lacks alt text, blind users are left completely in the dark. This is one of the simplest fixes with the biggest impact.
Dynamic Content Without Notification: Many modern websites rely on pop-ups, auto-refreshing content (like chatbots), or expanding menus that are not announced properly by assistive tech. This creates a fragmented, confusing experience.
Inaccessible Forms and Input Fields: A form without correctly linked labels, logical tab order, or input error notifications is nearly impossible for a blind person to complete independently. This often means they have to rely on help for something as basic as signing up or making a purchase.
Poor Colour Contrast and Visual Cues Only: Some sites depend solely on colour to indicate errors or actions, excluding not only the blind but also those needing color blind accessibility. Clear icons, text descriptions, and multiple cues (visual and auditory) are crucial.
Inconsistent Navigation Structures: When heading structures are skipped or page layouts are illogical, it becomes difficult for screen readers to give users a mental map of the website. Imagine trying to explore a shopping mall with no floor plan or directory — that’s the experience many face.
Overuse of Captchas Without Alternatives: Traditional captchas, especially those requiring visual verification, can be major blockers. Without audio alternatives or accessible reCAPTCHA options, many blind users are locked out.
These challenges highlight a core issue: while technology keeps advancing, the commitment to visual impairment accessibility still lags. Accessibility isn’t a “feature” — it’s a necessity. Until more developers, designers, and product managers understand this, blind users will keep hitting these digital roadblocks.
Essential Tools and Technologies
Fortunately, there are some technologies to close the gap:
Screen Readers – These read on-screen text aloud or in braille. Well-known versions include NVDA (free), JAWS, and Apple's VoiceOver. Voice Assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant allow hands-free control of devices and web browsing.
Braille Displays – Refreshable devices that translate text into braille characters.
Magnification and Contrast Tools – While designed more for low-vision users, tools like ZoomText help improve visual accessibility.
Haptic Feedback Devices – Innovative tools that allow users to feel interface elements or text through vibrations.
Looking to develop tech or apps for the visually impaired? Consider integrating with or supporting these tools from day one.
Accessible Web and App Design Practices
One of the most frequently asked questions is: how to make a website accessible for visually impaired users? Here's a solid checklist:
Use Semantic HTML: Tags like <nav>, <article>, <label> help screen readers understand page structure.
Add Alt Text: Every image, graphic, or icon should have a meaningful description.
Ensure Keyboard Navigation: All actions should be possible without a mouse.
High Contrast Colours: Enhances color blind accessibility and readability for everyone.
Avoid Autoplay: Especially with audio, as it interferes with screen reader output.
Form Labels and Fieldsets: Crucial for accessible input.
Remember, accessible websites are not just a win for blind users — they’re cleaner, more usable, and SEO-friendly for everyone.
Text Communication and Device Interaction for the Blind
he question, “How do blind people text?” reflects a common curiosity — and sometimes, an unconscious bias. With tools like VoiceOver and TalkBack, users can type via dictation, braille keyboards, or audio prompts.
Here’s how:
Voice Dictation: Most smartphones come with built-in speech-to-text tools.
Braille Input: Devices like the BrailleNote Touch or braille keyboards support efficient texting.
Taptic Feedback: Haptic cues confirm inputs and actions.
To answer simply: yes, blind people can text — and quite quickly, too.
Role of Developers and Brands in Promoting Accessibility
From the ideation stage to design, development, and QA, accessibility for visually impaired users must be embedded across the pipeline. Here’s what brands and developers can do:
Test with Screen Readers: Don’t wait till post-launch to test compatibility.
Hire Visually Impaired Testers: Real user feedback is invaluable.
Add Accessibility Documentation: Help users navigate your app with support guides.
Stay Updated with WCAG Guidelines: The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are a global standard.
At SensAble, we believe that accessibility isn’t optional — it’s foundational. Our tool, VIZION 1, is built in collaboration with real users to ensure real impact.
Future of Digital Accessibility for the Visually Impaired
The future of the internet for the blind is being shaped by AI, machine learning, and inclusive UX trends:
AI-Powered Descriptions: Tools that describe images, emotions, or scenes using neural networks.
Smart Wearables: Like SensAble’s VIZION 1 — enabling real-time object recognition and spatial awareness.
Accessible Virtual Reality: Building accessible virtual worlds with sound maps and haptic interfaces.
Inclusive Design Standards: Increasing numbers of universities and schools of design are incorporating accessibility into their core curriculum.
Conclusion
The path to accessibility for blind customers isn't technical alone — it is moral. From ensuring a website is screen-reader-friendly to embracing inclusive design patterns, each attempt matters.
With technology evolving rapidly and awareness on the rise, there's hope, but we need action. And it starts with you.
If you're a developer, brand leader, or designer, take accessibility seriously.
Together, we can ensure that digital freedom isn't just a privilege — it's a right.
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