Virginia's Corner, 9th Edition 📰 | As the 2024 United States Senate elections are approaching in 24 days, I visited each candidate’s website to find out more about them. I was disappointed. I had difficulty navigating most campaign’s website, which prompted me to have my IT team, most of whom are blind themselves, review all candidates’ websites. Prior to the upcoming Senate elections our organization will be sharing what we have found in what we hope will be a teachable moment, an opportunity to call attention to the fact that the blind and low vision are frequently forgotten.
The Americans with Disabilities Act is the law that helps wheelchair users gain access to public buildings, but that isn’t all there is to it. It also guarantees people with all disabilities the right to equal access, including the blind and low vision– like me. This means access to digital and online media in addition to physical spaces.
Nearly one month away from the Senate elections, it is disheartening to find that not one candidate’s website met the law’s requirements for total accessibility. More than 20 million Americans are blind or low vision – and many of them are voters who want to know more about candidates and their policies. If they can’t access campaign information, how are they supposed to make an informed vote?
This is not the first time we’ve analyzed political candidates' websites to ensure equal access to American democracy. In 2019, when the first Democratic presidential debates were held in Miami, FL, our team audited each 2020 presidential candidate’s website and found that not one was fully accessible to the blind and low vision. With our counsel, this led to several candidates modifying their websites for total accessibility.
This is a challenge not only for Senate candidates, but for businesses, academic institutions and other organizations alike. We hope that now that you are aware of this situation, you will take action. If needed, our organization is available as a resource and guide. Inclusiveness is not just a good thing, it’s the right thing and it’s the law. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Sincerely,
Virginia Jacko
President and CEO, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc.
Learn more about ADA Website Compliance on our website at https://lnkd.in/ejGRhmG7
Request a website audit by emailing ADACompliance@miamilighthouse.org or call 305-856-4176.
Learn more in these articles in TIME Magazine:
2020- https://lnkd.in/ePK_kwyU
2022- https://lnkd.in/e9RThcFh
Together, we prove it's possible to see without sight! 💙 #MiamiLighthouse #SupportingtheBlind #VirginiasCorner
#ItsPossibletoSeeWithoutSight #CommunityLeaders #AccessibilityforAll #ElectionSeason #ADACompliance #AccessibleVoting