22 July 2026

Assistive Technology Explained: How Visually Impaired People Access Digital Content

Assistive technology helps millions of people access websites, documents and digital information independently. According to RNIB, over two million people in the UK are living with sight loss, making digital accessibility more important than ever. While many people associate accessibility solely with screen readers, these are just one of many tools used to access digital information. Whether you are creating PDFs, publishing a website, or sharing marketing materials, understanding how assistive technology works is essential. It enables organisations to create content that is genuinely accessible, ultimately improving customer experience, strengthening brand reputation, and ensuring information can be accessed and understood by everyone.

What is assistive technology?

Assistive technology refers to products, software, and equipment that help people with disabilities carry out everyday activities and access information independently.

Examples of assistive technology include:

Screen readers
Refreshable Braille displays
Screen magnifiers

Other assistive technologies include speech recognition software, captions, alternative keyboards and colour adjustments, but in this blog, we’ll focus on the technologies most commonly used by people who are blind or partially sighted.

These tools enable people to access information, communicate, work, study, and engage with digital content in ways that suit their individual needs.

As technology has evolved, assistive technology has become more powerful, portable, and integrated into everyday devices. Many smartphones, tablets, and computers now include accessibility features as standard.

What is a screen reader?

A screen reader is software that converts digital text into speech or outputs it to a refreshable Braille display.

How does a screen reader work?

It’s often difficult to imagine how a screen reader works until you hear one being used. The short video below from axcess lab features a blind IT professional demonstrating how a screen reader navigates a website, showing why headings, alternative text and good page structure are so important. It also compares a screen reader with text-to-speech software, highlighting how screen readers can navigate page elements such as menus, headings and links, rather than simply reading text aloud.

This is why accessibility isn’t simply about putting information online, it’s about ensuring that people can access, understand and navigate information independently.

What’s the difference between a screen reader and text-to-speech software?

Screen readers and text-to-speech software both read digital text aloud, but screen readers do much more. As well as speaking text, screen readers help users to navigate websites, apps and documents by announcing headings, links, buttons and other interface elements. Text-to-speech software focuses solely on reading text aloud, without providing navigation or interaction features.

What is a refreshable Braille display?

Some blind people prefer to read information in Braille rather than listen to it. A refreshable Braille display is an electronic device that connects to a computer, smartphone, or tablet and converts digital text into Braille characters using small moving pins. As users navigate through content, the Braille display updates automatically, allowing them to read websites, emails, documents, and other digital information.

To work effectively with refreshable Braille displays, documents and websites need clear structure and meaningful formatting. Poorly organised content can be just as difficult to navigate in Braille as it is with a screen reader.

Many refreshable Braille displays also allow users to input Braille using a Braille keyboard. This enables users to write emails, take notes and interact with digital content independently, making them valuable tools in education, employment and everyday life.

What is screen magnification software?

Not everyone with a visual impairment uses a screen reader. Many people have some usable vision and prefer to enlarge content rather than have it read aloud. Screen magnification software (such a ZoomText) enlarges text, images, and interface elements, making them easier to see. Some tools also offer enhanced colour contrast, cursor tracking, and screen customisation features.

Users may access magnification through:

Built-in device settings
Browser zoom functions
Specialist software

For these users, clear layouts, readable fonts, sufficient colour contrast, and responsive design are particularly important. A website may technically meet accessibility requirements but still be difficult to use if content becomes distorted or difficult to navigate when magnified.

Although these technologies work in different ways, they all depend on one thing: accessible digital content. Whether someone is using a screen reader, a refreshable Braille display or screen magnification software, poorly structured websites and documents can create unnecessary barriers. That’s why creating accessible websites and PDFs is just as important as understanding the technology itself.

Why do accessible websites matter?

A website is often the first interaction a customer has with an organisation. If visitors encounter accessibility barriers, they may leave before finding the information they need. Research from the Click-Away Pound Report found that 69% of disabled users leave inaccessible websites immediately, representing £17.1 billion lost in spending power.

Accessible websites help ensure that users can:

Navigate using a keyboard
Understand page structure through headings
Access image descriptions through alternative text
Use forms independently
Read content at different zoom levels
Access information using assistive technologies

Good accessibility also benefits many other users, including older people, mobile users, and those with temporary impairments. Accessibility should not be viewed as a specialist requirement; it’s part of delivering a positive user experience for everyone.

What are accessible PDFs?

Many organisations focus on website accessibility but overlook downloadable documents. Reports, brochures, policies, forms, newsletters, and guides are often shared as PDFs. If these documents are not created correctly, they can present significant barriers for people using assistive technology.

Common issues include:

Missing document structure
Incorrect reading order
Untagged content
Images without descriptions
Poor colour contrast
Scanned documents that contain no readable text
Columns, tables and layout

Accessible PDFs and e-text documents help ensure that information remains usable regardless of how it is accessed.

Common accessibility mistakes organisations make

Even organisations with good intentions can unintentionally create barriers.

Some of the most common issues include:

Assuming screen readers solve everything
People use a wide range of assistive technologies, not just screen readers.

Using inaccessible PDFs
Documents often receive less accessibility attention than websites.

Poor heading structure
Headings help users navigate content quickly and efficiently.

Missing alternative text
Images should have meaningful descriptions where appropriate.

Using vague link text
Links such as “Click Here” or “Read More” provide little context for assistive technology users.

Failing to test accessibility
Accessibility should be checked regularly using both automated tools and user testing where possible.

Accessibility and brand reputation

Accessibility is not simply about compliance. It is about customer experience, inclusion, and trust. When customers can access information independently, they are more likely to have a positive impression of your organisation. Without accessibility in mind, content can create frustration and damage confidence in your brand. Demonstrating a commitment to accessibility shows that your organisation values all customers and recognises the importance of inclusive communication. As awareness of accessibility continues to grow, organisations that prioritise accessibility are increasingly viewed as more responsible, customer-focused, and forward-thinking.

Looking to make your marketing more inclusive? Read our guide to including disabled people in your marketing – Blog on How To Include Disabled People in your Marketing | A2i

Assistive technology continues to evolve, but one thing remains constant: it relies on accessible content. When websites, PDFs and digital documents are created with accessibility in mind, more people can access information independently and with confidence.

How A2i Can Help

At A2i, we help organisations make information accessible through a range of services, including, e-text (which includes accessible PDFs), audio, Braille, large print, Easy Read, tactile diagrams, and more.

Whether you need support with accessible documents, website content, or alternative formats, our team can help ensure your information works effectively with the assistive technologies your customers use every day.

To find out more about our accessibility services, get in touch with the A2i team today.