From the advent of smartphones to the rise of social media platforms, there seems to be no limit to what technology can achieve. But as much as it has made our lives easier and more convenient, there is a growing concern that it may also be widening the gap between various communities and perpetuating existing inequalities.
In this blog post, we will explore how we can bridge the gap between technology and inclusivity by understanding what inclusivity means in a tech-driven world and examining practical ways to incorporate it into our digital landscape.
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Understand Inclusivity and Accessibility
Inclusivity is about creating an environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and included. In today’s tech-driven world, it also means ensuring that technology is accessible and can be used by individuals with disabilities. But how do you make sure your technology is inclusive?
VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) is a useful tool that outlines the level of accessibility of your product, website, or system. Before delving into how to complete this form, let’s first understand the basics of a VPAT as set by the Rehabilitation Act Amendments (Section 508). A VPAT is a self-disclosure document that outlines how accessible a product or service is to people with disabilities. It covers areas such as usability, compatibility, and support for assistive technologies. Once you have completed the VPAT, it can be shared with customers to demonstrate your product’s accessibility.
Identify Barriers
Technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, but not everyone has equal access to it. Certain groups face barriers when utilizing technology, ranging from economic limitations to physical disabilities.
Economic challenges could mean that devices and internet access are too expensive for some individuals or families. Those with physical disabilities might need special accommodations or equipment to navigate technology. Regardless of the type of barrier, identifying these challenges is the first step in working towards solutions that can ensure technology is accessible to all. Now, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable technological landscape.
Diverse Development Teams
Bridging the gap between technology and inclusivity can also be achieved by having diverse teams working on the development of new products and services. When a team has members from different backgrounds, cultures, abilities, and perspectives, it can gain wider perspectives that influence the design and functionality of tech products. Developers with first-hand experiences of exclusion are more likely to highlight and address potential accessibility issues.
When the development process incorporates a broad range of viewpoints, the resultant technology tends to be more user-friendly for a diverse user base. To put this into practice, companies should actively seek out and foster talent from underrepresented groups, implement inclusive hiring practices, and offer equitable opportunities for growth and development to all employees.
User-Centered Design
User-centered design is a philosophy that places the user at the forefront of any design process. This approach takes into account the diverse backgrounds, abilities, and needs of users from all walks of life, ensuring that the end product meets their requirements.
By embracing a user-centered design philosophy, designers can gain a better understanding of their users, leading to more effective and engaging design solutions. In today’s world, where user experience is a key factor in determining the success of a product or service, designers must prioritize user-centered design principles.
Continual Learning
Committing to continual learning can ensure that you stay abreast of new tools and methods that can enhance inclusivity within technology. As inclusivity becomes an increasingly important priority, it’s crucial to stay informed about emerging trends and techniques that can help you create more accessible products and services.
Stay up-to-date by attending conferences, taking online courses, joining networking groups, and engaging in conversations about inclusivity in technology. With continual learning, you can expand your knowledge and skills to create more inclusive digital experiences.
Feedback Loops
Through regular and structured feedback from a diverse user group, companies can identify blind spots in their designs and functionalities. It involves a process of listening, understanding, and responding to the needs of users who may have differing abilities or may come from various socio-economic backgrounds.
Direct feedback from users allows designers and developers to identify areas for improvement, address accessibility issues, and continuously enhance the inclusivity of their technology. After all, the end goal is to create technology that serves and benefits all users equally.
Bridging the gap between technology and inclusivity requires a concerted effort from developers, designers, companies, and individuals. By understanding the fundamentals of inclusivity, identifying barriers, fostering diverse teams, implementing user-centered design principles, committing to continual learning, and incorporating feedback loops, we can create a more equitable and accessible tech landscape for all. It’s time to use technology as a tool for inclusivity and bridge the gap between different communities. Let’s work towards a future where technology truly serves everyone.
Hey, I’m David. I’ve been working as a wireless network engineer and a network administrator for 15 years. During my studies, I also worked as an ISP field technician – that’s when I met Jeremy.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in network engineering and a master’s degree in computer science and engineering. I’m also a Cisco-certified service provider.
In my professional career, I worked for router/modem manufacturers and internet providers. I like to think that I’m good at explaining network-related issues in simple terms. That’s exactly what I’m doing on this website – I’m making simple and easy-to-follow guides on how to install, set up, and troubleshoot your networking hardware. I also review new network equipment – modems, gateways, switches, routers, extenders, mesh systems, cables, etc.
My goal is to help regular users with their everyday network issues, educate them, and make them less scared of their equipment. In my articles, you can find tips on what to look for when buying new networking hardware, and how to adjust your network settings to get the most out of your wi-fi.
Since my work is closely related to computers, servers, and other network equipment, I like to spend most of my spare time outdoors. When I want to blow off some steam, I like to ride my bike. I also love hiking and swimming. When I need to calm down and clear my mind, my go-to activity is fishing.
