Persons with disabilities and those who regularly test for Digital Accessibility problems say
that AI and automated software that promises to make the web more accessible can only go
so far.
Tina Pinedo, communications director at Disability Rights Oregon, said “It’s a lot to listen to a
robot all day long, but listening to a machine is exactly what many people with visual
impairments do while using screen reading tools to accomplish everyday online tasks such
as paying bills or ordering groceries from an e-commerce site”, she said.
“There are not enough web developers or people who actually take the time to listen to what
their website sounds like to a blind person. It’s auditorily exhausting,” said Pinedo.