Also copying my Telegram message here. Thanks everyone for voting!
Guys, this is a realistic chance to push Google. Why realistic? Because for those of us in the European Union, this is backed by enforceable legislation. All companies operating in the EU must comply. I’ve worked directly with this exact act, and every company I deal with is preparing for it in one way or another – just like GDPR did back in 2018.
I’m also part of a small startup that builds an accessibility tool for people with physical disabilities – mobility issues, vision loss, and more. This act is what made the startup possible. It gave the issue enough weight for people to listen. We even have someone locally with strong reach who's actively working on publicity in both Lithuania and Ireland. Just like we can’t use certain screens, others can’t physically access certain places. The core challenge is the same: access and usability.
The difference is that physical disabilities are usually easier to understand, explain, and address (aside from expensive infrastructure changes). Our issue is much harder – invisible, difficult to describe, and even harder to prove. That’s why visibility matters. And realistically, we’d probably need to align ourselves with a broader category – most likely under “vision issues” – to gain more weight and be taken seriously as a group.
But this needs focus, consistency, and work. It’s not easy. Our issue is niche and still under the radar. But if this specific problem gets pushed beyond the anecdotal level – with enough likes, comments, and clear examples – it has a real chance. Since our group is small, every single vote and comment matters.
This is a digital accessibility issue. The symptoms are real. The software side can be fixed – and that’s what this ticket is about. Most of us can or could use certain tech, and usually the older the better. That means it’s not hopeless – just overlooked.
We shouldn’t expect to fix everything at once. If we can’t even solve the obvious problems like PWM and dithering, then tackling the more complex and less understood issues will be near impossible. But if one person can go back to using modern tech because of a fix, that’s already meaningful progress.
The EU has already shown it can hold tech companies accountable – first with data privacy, and now with accessibility. If we stay organised and persistent, we’ve got a genuine shot.
Here’s the act:
https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/disability/union-equality-strategy-rights-persons-disabilities-2021-2030/european-accessibility-act_en
