2025 is a big year for UsableNet; this year marks our 25th anniversary. As someone who has witnessed the evolution of digital accessibility firsthand, I’ve seen just how much progress we’ve made—and how much work remains.
I’m Michael Taylor. I’m blind and use a screen reader to access websites, apps, and online content. That means I rely on assistive technology every day to navigate the digital world. While I encounter barriers that most people never notice, I’m also a regular internet user—shopping online, staying connected, and exploring the same digital spaces as everyone else.
In this post, the first in a new series, I’ll reflect on where we’ve been, where we are now, and where we need to go in the world of accessibility. I’ll share what it’s been like growing up alongside the internet as a screen reader user, and how the design decisions made over the last 25 years have shaped my experience of inclusion—and exclusion—online. Today, I’m starting with the past.
My Early Exposure to Technology as a Blind User
Before I get into accounts of specific experiences, I’d like to give a brief overview of my early exposure to technology and the devices I use today.
My first real memory of technology dates back over twenty years—playing sound-based computer games designed for the blind on my family’s Windows desktop. I received my first Windows laptop at the age of eight. While I had screen reader training, I didn’t start using it consistently until middle school. At that point, assignments became more complex, and Braille wasn’t always effective. I used my laptop for school, but at home, it mostly stayed in its case.
Everything changed around 2011 when I received my first smartphone—an iPhone 4S. That was the turning point. Suddenly, I had access to communication, social apps, and media, all in one device. A year or two later, I added an iPad to the mix. Both used Apple’s built-in screen reader, VoiceOver. At the time, they were some of the only devices that were truly accessible out of the box.
In 2015, I switched from a Windows laptop to a Mac. At first, I didn’t like it—it felt so different. But once I got comfortable with the Mac version of VoiceOver, I realized how much more consistent and intuitive it was. Since then, I’ve stuck primarily with Apple devices, using Windows only when necessary for specific testing or programs.
Other screen reader users I know have great experiences with Windows and Android, but for me, Apple’s integration of hardware and accessibility tools has made all the difference.
Being Shut Out of Social Media
Looking back, the first time I recall feeling completely excluded from a digital experience was during my middle school and early high school years, when social media was starting to take over. My classmates would laugh and talk about posts, photos, and videos. I downloaded the same apps, but I couldn’t participate in the same way.
Most images had no descriptions. Links weren’t labeled. Video players didn’t work with my screen reader. Even basic buttons lacked accessible labels, making navigation impossible.
I felt isolated. Everyone else was reacting to something I couldn’t access. And social media wasn’t just entertainment, it was becoming the primary way young people communicated. Since I couldn’t engage with it, I often felt left behind. I was already trying to fit in as someone with a disability. The inaccessibility of social media made that even harder.
Navigating School With Inaccessible Materials
High school was another difficult period in terms of accessibility. Some teachers still relied on paper handouts. Others embraced digital materials, but most of those weren’t created with accessibility in mind. Often, they were just scanned PDFs.
I’ve said this before in previous blogs, but scanned documents are not an effective way to create accessible materials. Using a screen reader with these files was highly challenging. I spent so much time just trying to access the content that I had less time actually to learn it.
That same issue followed me to college. I was constantly trying to catch up, not because I couldn’t understand the material, but because I couldn’t get to it.
Looking back, I can see how much of my experience has been shaped not only by technology but also by the laws that support accessibility.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has played a significant role in ensuring I have access to digital tools and experiences, although barriers remain. I shared more about that personal impact in a separate post: How the ADA Has Changed My Life.
Early Online Shopping Frustrations
As a teenager, I started earning a little money and wanted to shop online, just like my friends. I created my first accounts around 2015. Although I was able to complete some purchases, the experience was hindered by numerous roadblocks.
I remember wanting to buy customized school spirit gear. But those customization tools? Completely inaccessible. The process broke down entirely, and I had to give up. Sadly, that part of the online shopping experience hasn’t improved much even today.
If you’re interested in a deeper dive into how screen reader users experience online shopping, I wrote a full guide based on real-world examples. In the ebook, I walk through common e-commerce barriers, what works well, and what still creates major challenges for accessibility.
👉 Get the free guide: E-commerce Accessibility Insights—A Screen Reader User’s Guide to Seamless Digital Experiences (form required)
Accessibility Is the Key to Inclusion
As I’ve grown up alongside digital technology, I’ve realized something that remains true: accessibility is the key to inclusion.
Without it, the door to the digital world is locked. Inaccessible experiences don’t just make things inconvenient—they exclude people. They leave us out of social circles, school success, and everyday opportunities.
If your company, school, or agency hasn’t prioritized accessibility yet, UsableNet’s 25th anniversary is the perfect time to start. My own experience growing up with inaccessible tech wasn’t ideal, but it doesn’t have to be that way for the next generation.
Every organization has the power to make inclusion the norm. When you invest in accessibility, you create opportunities for independence, connection, and participation. That matters.
TL;DR: What Growing Up With Inaccessible Tech Taught Me
Why accessibility matters: A screen reader user’s perspective over 25 years
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Poor accessibility excluded me socially during key years of development.
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Scanned and unlabeled digital content made school harder than it needed to be.
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Blockers often hinder online shopping, and by extension, my independence.
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Accessibility is essential for independence and inclusion.
Ready to Be Part of the Progress?
UsableNet has spent 25 years helping organizations improve digital accessibility. This milestone is a moment to reflect and a chance to act.
To kick off our 25th Anniversary webinar series, we’re hosting a free event on June 11:
Proven Accessibility Strategies for 2025: From Start to Scale
Join us to learn what’s working today, how accessibility programs are evolving, and what your team can do to drive lasting impact.
Register for the June 11 webinar and explore 25 years of accessibility progress
