Web Disability Simulator

Experiencing Barriers on the Web: My Self-Test with the Web Disability Simulator

Accessibility on the web – everyone’s talking about it, and we all agree: it’s important. But to be honest, the real question is: what does it actually feel like when digital services aren’t accessible?

For this year’s World Accessibility Day, I wanted to find out more, so I tried the Web Disability Simulator – a free Chrome plugin that simulates various impairments. For me, this was the first practical step toward better understanding the topic. Here are some impressions from my self-test:

_{Visual example on our subpage: Requirements Engineering}

Visual Impairments

Color Blindness:
LinkedIn remained largely usable, but small elements like the colored borders on profile pictures (“#OPENTOWORK”) were barely recognizable. So subtle – yet crucial when information is communicated through color alone.

Tunnel Vision:
I especially noticed this on our own QualityMinds website – it was hard to find my way around when only a small section of the screen was visible. Content arranged in varying layouts (text on the left, then on the right) quickly became an obstacle.

Sunlight Glare:
Interesting – because this affects everyone. In bright light, buttons suddenly became nearly invisible and text was hard to read. A great example that accessibility doesn’t only concern people with disabilities.

Motor Impairments

Parkinson’s Simulation:
Even basic navigation became a test of patience. Small buttons, dropdowns, hover effects – much of it simply became unusable. It quickly became clear how vital clear, clickable elements are.

Reading & Comprehension

Dyslexia Simulation:
Complex technical jargon? Long, convoluted sentences? I was lost within minutes. Short, simple language was much easier to process – a good reminder for anyone creating content.

Limited Vocabulary (English):
This took me right back to my study-abroad semester: recognizing words but not grasping the meaning. That’s exactly how it felt – frustrating and exhausting.

Concentration

This simulation really surprised me: constant intrusive thoughts (“The ventilation’s loud today…”), flickering text, shaking buttons. I could hardly focus on a single sentence. And honestly – this kind of distraction isn’t that far-fetched in everyday life. Who hasn’t zoned out just before lunch?

My Conclusion

The Web Disability Simulator isn’t a perfect simulation – but it raises awareness. For me, it was an insightful and at times moving experience. Most of all, I learned this: Accessibility isn’t a “nice-to-have” – it determines inclusion.

And sometimes, all it takes is a browser plugin to sharpen your perspective.

Want to try it yourself?
Web Disability Simulator (Chrome Web Store)