Accessing means being able to use something — in this case, a device, app, website, or feature that might otherwise be hard or impossible for you to use

When someone says a program has "good accessibility," they mean you can actually open it, read it, navigate it, and do what you need to do, even if you have a disability or use assistive technology. The word "access" here is not about permission or login — it is about whether the thing works for you at all.

If you are blind and a website has no text descriptions for images, you cannot access those images. If you are deaf and a video has no captions, you cannot access the audio. If you have tremors and buttons are tiny, you cannot access them easily. Accessibility features exist to close those gaps so you can actually use the thing, the same way anyone else would.

Key Takeaways

  • Accessing means being able to use a device, app, or website in a way that works for your needs, whether you have a disability or not.
  • Accessibility features are built-in tools — like screen readers, captions, voice control, and text sizing — that make programs usable for more people.
  • A program with poor accessibility might technically exist on your device but be unusable for you without those features.
  • Operating systems like Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android come with many accessibility features already built in, so you do not have to buy separate software.

The difference between a feature existing and being able to use it

A program can be installed on your computer and still be completely inaccessible to you. For example, a banking app might work fine for someone with typical vision and hearing, but if you are blind, that same app is useless without a screen reader — software that reads text aloud and describes what is on screen.

Accessibility is about closing that gap. It is not a separate product you buy. It is built into the operating system or the app itself. When a developer designs something with accessibility in mind, they make sure keyboard navigation works, text can be resized, colors have enough contrast, and screen readers can understand the layout. When they do not, you hit a wall.

The word "access" in accessibility means you can actually use the thing. Not that it exists. Not that you have permission. That you can operate it.

Common accessibility features and what they do

Most devices come with accessibility features already turned on or ready to turn on. You do not have to hunt for them or pay extra. Here are the ones you will run into most often:

Screen readers read text aloud and describe images, buttons, and layout. NVDA and JAWS are common on Windows. VoiceOver comes built into Mac, iPhone, and iPad. TalkBack is built into Android. If you are blind or have low vision, a screen reader is usually the first thing you set up.

Captions and subtitles display spoken words and sound descriptions as text on screen. Most streaming services, YouTube, and many apps now include them. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, captions let you access audio content.

Text sizing and high contrast make words larger and easier to read, and increase the difference between text color and background. If you have low vision or light sensitivity, these features can make a program usable instead of straining.

Voice control lets you speak commands instead of clicking or typing. If you have limited hand mobility or tremors, voice control can be faster and more reliable than a mouse or keyboard.

Keyboard navigation means you can move through a program using only the keyboard — no mouse required. If you cannot use a mouse, or if you use a switch or other input device, keyboard navigation has to work or the program is locked to you.

Why some programs are harder to access than others

Accessibility is not automatic. A developer has to build it in. Some companies do this well. Others do not prioritize it, and their programs end up with missing captions, images with no descriptions, buttons that are too small, or layouts that screen readers cannot understand.

Older programs are often less accessible than newer ones, because accessibility standards have gotten stricter and more tools have become available. A website built in 2005 probably has no captions and poor keyboard navigation. A website built in 2024 might still have problems, but there is less excuse.

Some programs are harder to make accessible than others. A simple website is easier than a complex game. A document is easier than specialized software. But the principle is the same: if you cannot use it, you do not have access to it, no matter what the developer intended.

How to check if you can access something before you commit to it

Before you spend time downloading or paying for something, test whether it will actually work for you. If you use a screen reader, open the program and try navigating with the keyboard only — do not touch the mouse. Can you get to all the buttons? Can the screen reader read the text? If either answer is no, you probably cannot access it.

If you need captions, check whether the app or website has them. Most streaming services do. Many websites do not. If you need large text, try the text sizing feature in your operating system and see if the program respects it. Some do. Some lock the text size and ignore your settings.

If you use voice control, try a few commands. If you use a switch or other input device, test keyboard navigation. The goal is to find out whether the program will actually work for you before you rely on it.

Where accessibility features live on your device

You do not have to download accessibility features. They are already on your device. On Windows, go to Settings > Ease of Access. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Accessibility. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Accessibility. On Android, go to Settings > Accessibility.

From there, you can turn on screen readers, adjust text size, enable captions, turn on high contrast, set up voice control, and change many other settings. Most of these features work across all your apps and websites once you turn them on. Some programs have their own accessibility settings too, but the operating system settings are usually the place to start.

If you are not sure which features you need, start with the ones that match your situation. If you are blind, turn on the screen reader. If you are deaf, turn on captions and visual alerts. If you have low vision, increase text size and contrast. You can always adjust later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning on accessibility features slow down my device?

Screen readers and some other features use a little more processing power, but most modern devices handle it fine. Text sizing, captions, and high contrast use almost no extra resources. If your device is very old or very slow, you might notice a difference, but for most people it is not noticeable.

Can I use accessibility features even if I do not have a disability?

Yes. Many people use captions even with normal hearing — they help in noisy places or when you cannot turn up the volume. Large text helps anyone in bright sunlight. High contrast helps reduce eye strain. Accessibility features benefit everyone, not just people with disabilities.

If an app does not have accessibility features, can I use a different app instead?

Sometimes. If you need to do something specific — like banking or email — you might have multiple apps to choose from. Try a few and see which one works best with your screen reader or other assistive technology. If there is only one app that does what you need, you may have to contact the developer and ask them to add accessibility features.

What should I do if a website or app is not accessible to me?

Contact the developer or company and tell them what is not working. Be specific: "Your captions are missing" or "I cannot navigate with the keyboard" or "The text does not resize." Many companies will fix problems if they know about them. If the company is large or the problem is serious, you can also file a complaint with your state's disability rights office.

Are accessibility features the same on every device?

No. Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android all have accessibility features, but they work differently and have different names. VoiceOver on Mac is not the same as NVDA on Windows. TalkBack on Android is not the same as VoiceOver on iPhone. If you switch devices, you will have to learn the new system, but the basic idea is the same.