The One Thing Michel Savoie Wishes Everyone Knew About IT Accessibility

By Michel Savoie | Executive Director | Partnership, Accessibility and Environments | Employment and Social Development Canada

Q: What's the one thing you really wish people understood about IT or digital accessibility?

A: That it's not just for a small group; it benefits everyone.

Accessibility: It's for Everyone!

When you hear the word "accessibility", what comes to mind? For many, it's something meant only for people with disabilities. But here's a little secret: digital accessibility makes life better for everyone.

Let's start with something simple: captions in videos. Sure, they're essential for people who are deaf, deafened, hard of hearing, and deafblind, but have you ever tried watching a video in a noisy café? Or maybe you've tried sneaking in a quick tutorial during a boring meeting? (If so, your secret is safe with me!) By using captions, you can easily follow along without sound, making them great for people who prefer reading over listening.

Then there's keyboard navigation—a lifeline for users with mobility impairments and those who can't use a mouse. But it's also a dream for power users who love keyboard shortcuts. If you've ever hit Ctrl + F to find something fast, you've already benefited from accessible design.

More Than Just a Checkbox

Accessibility isn't just about ticking off a legal requirement, it's about doing the right thing. Making digital content accessible means everyone, regardless of ability, can access the same information and services. That's not just fair; it's smart.

When we design inclusively, we open the door to a wider range of voices and ideas. That diversity leads to more creativity, better problem-solving, and a stronger community.

Designing with Everyone in Mind

For developers, thinking about accessibility from the start leads to better design overall. It pushes us to consider the different ways people interact with technology. That kind of thinking results in cleaner, more intuitive interfaces that work for more people.

And let's be honest, retroactively fixing accessibility issues is a pain and sometimes requires a complete tear down and rebuild. But building it in from the beginning? Much easier, much smarter, and much more cost efficient.

The Bottom Line

Accessibility isn't just for some. It's for all of us. Whether you're watching videos in a noisy room, navigating with a keyboard, or just trying to make your app more user-friendly, accessible design helps.

So next time you hear someone making the claim that accessibility is only for a small group of people, you can smile and say, Actually, it's for everyone.

Remember: The IT Accessibility Office Is Here to Help!

Do you need more IT accessibility information? The IT Accessibility Office can help you find the answers and resources you need to make IT accessibility a part of everything you do.

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