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“Sometimes I just give up on online shopping because my screen reader keeps saying ‘graphic, graphic, graphic.’ I shouldn’t have to call a friend to help me buy groceries.”

— Vision Australia client

“Making the digital space accessible is just as important as making physical space accessible. Just as we design public buildings so that they have ramps, lifts with audio announcements and other features that make them accessible to people with a disability, so we must also design websites, apps and other digital spaces to comply with standards and guidelines so that they, too, are usable by people with a disability”. 

— Bruce, Vision Australia Lead Policy Advisor

In today’s world, so much of life happens online. Paying bills, applying for jobs, booking travel, connecting with friends. But for people who are blind or have low vision, websites and apps that ignore accessibility standards create barriers at every turn.

That’s why we created the Stand Up for Your Rights: Web and Digital Skills, to help you demand equal access to the digital world and give you the tools to challenge discrimination when it happens.

When websites and apps follow these standards, you can expect clear image descriptions, working captions, proper navigation with screen readers, and forms that make sense.

Common digital barriers

When people tell us about their digital experiences, the same problems keep coming up. Common barriers include:

  • Buttons or links without labels,
  • Forms with no field descriptions,
  • CAPTCHAs that block access,
  • Images without alt text,
  • Navigation that screen readers can’t follow, and
  • Colour contrasts that make text unreadable.

Each of these might sound small, but together they lock people out of essential services, opportunities, and independence. And they don’t just inconvenience you, but they go against your rights.

Why digital accessibility matters

Accessibility isn’t optional. It’s a recognised human right, backed by:

These frameworks exist to make sure that everyone can participate fully online. It's important for businesses and service providers to take them into account when creating and maintaining their digital spaces.

How Vision Australia supports you

The Web and Digital Skills guide is designed to help you turn frustration into action. Inside you’ll find:

  • How to spot and describe issues: Clear ways to explain what’s not working.
  • How to contact providers: Key details to include when raising a complaint.
  • When to escalate: Steps to take if your issue isn’t resolved, including formal complaint pathways.
  • Social media tips: Using public platforms to highlight issues constructively.
  • Getting technical support: How to know if the issue lies with your setup or the website, and where to find help.

This guide isn’t about becoming a tech expert; it’s about feeling confident to speak up and be heard.

Real-world advocacy in action 

“I come across so many instances of website inaccessibility that I don’t bother to keep a record of them. Sometimes it takes me hours to figure out how to do something on a website that takes a sighted person a couple of minutes, other times I give up because I can’t do what I want to do on a particular website. Having said that, there are a lot of websites that are usable, even if not all of them comply with accessibility guidelines” 

— Bruce, Vision Australia Lead Policy Advisor

Tools to help you advocate

With this guide, you’ll feel more confident to:

  • Ask for information in accessible formats,
  • Report digital issues with clear, professional wording,
  • Keep records of your communication,
  • Connect with other adaptive technology users for peer support, and
  • Push back against digital discrimination without the use of technical jargon.  

You have the right to equal access online

The digital world should be open to everyone. Whether you’re shopping, booking travel, or applying for a job, you deserve to do it independently and with confidence.  

Download the full Stand Up for Your Rights: Web and Digital Skills Guide today

Take the first step towards making the online world work for you.

Want to access our full series of guides?

For more like this one in the series and to take charge of your life in the best way you can for you, download our full series of Stand up for your rights guides.