Accessibility for People Who Are DeafBlind: Strategies for Inclusion

DeafBlindness is a complex spectrum of disabilities that many people don’t fully understand. This lack of understanding is at the root of many of the challenges around accessibility that people who are DeafBlind might experience.

There are several myths and misconceptions about what it means to identify as DeafBlind. Contrary to popular belief, individuals who are DeafBlind don’t always experience a complete absence of both vision and hearing. In fact, individuals’ sensory abilities can vary widely.

According to the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), “How people identify themselves is personal and may reflect identification with the deaf communities, the degree to which they can hear, or the relative age of onset.”

Regardless of an individual’s unique experience of disability, people who are DeafBlind can face many barriers in everyday life. In particular, inaccessible website content and mobile apps can present significant challenges for these users.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the common web accessibility issues impacting the DeafBlind community. We’ll also highlight best practices that website owners can implement to build more inclusive online environments.

What is DeafBlindness?

DeafBlindness is a rare disability that differs from being deaf or blind. The National Center on Deafblindness (NCDB) points out that people who are DeafBlind experience the world in a unique way.

People who are deaf or blind often use vision or hearing, respectively, to understand and interact with the surrounding world. For instance, a deaf person may use their vision to access the dialogue and sound effects in a movie through closed captions. Meanwhile, a blind person may use their hearing to identify colleagues in a meeting by recognizing the sounds of their voices. However, many people who are DeafBlind navigate the world primarily using touch.

The diversity of DeafBlindness

People who are DeafBlind represent between 0.2% to 2% of the global population, making up a diverse community. Individuals who identify as DeafBlind experience vision and hearing disabilities in varying degrees. The DeafBlind community includes:

1. People who are deaf but have some vision.

2. People who are blind but have some hearing.

3. People who have both some hearing and some vision.

4. People who are totally deaf and totally blind.

DeafBlindness and digital accessibility

While members of the DeafBlind community have different experiences of disability, these individuals often face a common challenge: navigating digital accessibility barriers. Much online communication relies heavily on visual and auditory information, leaving many individuals who are DeafBlind unable to access content and fully participate in the digital world.

From catching up on the news to making an online purchase or even booking a medical appointment, everyday tasks can be difficult, if not impossible, when digital experiences aren’t created with DeafBlind users in mind. The absence of accessible options can leave these individuals disconnected from essential products and services.

Building websites for DeafBlind people

Despite advances in web design and technology, many websites remain inaccessible to people who are DeafBlind, as well as other individuals with disabilities.

People with a wide range of disabilities use assistive technology to access digital content. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, there are currently 2.5 billion assistive technology users globally, a number expected to grow to 3.5 billion by 2050. These tools can be indispensable for users with DeafBlindness. However, websites and other digital platforms aren’t always compatible with assistive technology.

To ensure these tools work seamlessly, websites should conform to specific design and development standards, particularly those outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Following WCAG standards can help prevent accessibility barriers by making sure websites and apps can be navigated by users of assistive technology, like screen readers and braille displays.

In the next section, we’ll explore some specific best practices that website developers and designers can use to build equitable online experiences for users who are DeafBlind.

Eight ways to improve web content accessibility for DeafBlind users

To build websites that users who are DeafBlind can navigate, it’s crucial to prioritize inclusive design practices that address the needs of people with hearing and vision disabilities. Here are eight ways to start making your digital content more accessible for individuals who are DeafBlind:

1. Provide captions for videos: Ensure all videos have accurate closed captions. Captions can be paired with braille displays used by people who are DeafBlind. Keep in mind that captions that are embedded directly into a video (burned-in) cannot be read by screen readers, making the content harder to access.

2. Offer descriptive transcripts for video and audio: Provide full text transcripts for all multimedia content, allowing users who are DeafBlind to access this material through screen readers and braille displays. These transcripts should capture not only dialogue, but also any other important information conveyed through visual and / or audio cues.

3. Include audio descriptions: Adding audio descriptions that narrate key visual elements in videos can help make content more accessible for users who are DeafBlind but have some hearing.

4. Support keyboard navigation: Ensure all website functionality is accessible via keyboard, so users can easily tab through links, buttons, and forms without getting stuck.

5. Ensure screen reader compatibility: Make sure screen readers can interpret and efficiently navigate your content by following best practices for screen reader compatibility, including structuring your content with proper headings, lists, and landmarks.

6. Use sufficient color contrast: Providing sufficient color contrast between text and its background may help to enhance readability for users who are DeafBlind and have low vision.

7. Allow text resizing: Make sure text can be resized without breaking page layouts or cutting off content, so users who are DeafBlind and have some vision can adjust text for better readability.

8. Use descriptive link text: Avoid vague links like “click here” and use clear, descriptive text to help users understand where a link will take them.

By implementing these strategies, you can not only improve accessibility for users who are DeafBlind, but also enable individuals with many other types of disabilities to more fully engage with your digital content.

Accessibility for DeafBlind users is accessibility for all

Digital accessibility goes beyond meeting the needs of those with disabilities—it enhances user experience for everyone and contributes to a more inclusive digital world.

By partnering with a trusted digital accessibility provider like Level Access, you can seamlessly integrate accessibility into your processes for creating websites, apps, and other digital content.

We provide the tools and expertise to help you measure, improve, and maintain digital accessibility over time.

Whether you’re just getting started or aiming to elevate your accessibility efforts, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Request a demo to begin your accessibility journey today.

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FAQ

How do DeafBlind individuals access online content?

DeafBlind individuals often use assistive technology, such as braille displays, screen readers, and specialized communication devices, to access online content.

Are there websites specifically designed for the DeafBlind community?

 

 

Yes, there are several websites for DeafBlind individuals that offer resources, support, and tools designed to improve accessibility for people with this disability.

How can websites improve accessibility for those with DeafBlindness?

Websites can improve accessibility for DeafBlind users by following the best practices outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), including incorporating clear link text, ensuring compatibility with assistive technology, and providing content in multiple formats like text, audio, and braille.