New Search Engine accessFind to Help People with Disabilities Find Accessible Websites
Developed in partnership with disability-focused non-profit organisations, accessFind is an inclusive search engine specifically designed to enhance internet accessibility for people with disabilities. Web accessibility company accessiBe announced the upcoming launch of accessFind, a consumer-centric non-profit initiative providing a search engine created specifically for end-users with disabilities. AI-powered web accessibility solution that makes web accessible, automated, […]
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Developed in partnership with disability-focused non-profit organisations, accessFind is an inclusive search engine specifically designed to enhance internet accessibility for people with disabilities.
Web accessibility company accessiBe announced the upcoming launch of accessFind, a consumer-centric non-profit initiative providing a search engine created specifically for end-users with disabilities. AI-powered web accessibility solution that makes web accessible, automated, and affordable. Designed in partnership with disability-focused non-profit organisations including United Spinal Association, Columbia Lighthouse For The Blind (CLB), The Viscardi Center, The IMAGE Center of Maryland, Earle Baum Center of the Blind, Determined2Heal, Senspoint, accessFind will be the first search engine designed to enhance how people with disabilities navigate the internet through the creation of an accessible-friendly index of websites.
On average, people make 5.4 billion Google searches per day, enjoying endless results and opportunities from search engine access. However, for the 1.5 billion people with disabilities around the world, this experience is much different. Only 2 per cent of all websites are accessible, so the chances of finding an accessible website in today’s search engines are slim to none.
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“I know first-hand the challenges that people with disabilities must navigate when it comes to internet accessibility. That’s what we call ‘the web accessibility gap,’ and this initiative will go a long way in helping to bridge that gap,” said Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer of accessiBe. “Navigating millions of websites that were not built for people with disabilities can be an overwhelming, even a daunting, experience. Our intention in building accessFind is to be the new gateway to an inclusive web, displaying only accessible websites, and empowering and connecting the community with businesses, services and knowledge sources – so people with disabilities will have access to the full potential of the internet.”
accessFind will have over 1,20,000 accessible websites from launch, producing a tailor-made browsing experience that ensures search results can be accessed by all users. Any accessible website is welcome to join accessFind. Additionally, non-profit organisations can still become a part of the founding members group.
“We live, work and play in an increasing digital world. accessFind is the place for people with disabilities to search for websites and be assured they are accessible, thus eliminating the frustration that occurs when logging on to an inaccessible site,” said Michael Caprara, Chief Information Officer, The Viscardi Center.
accessFind is just one of the many initiatives accessiBe is rolling out as part of its public roadmap. accessiBe’s goals are to educate and raise awareness towards a more accessible and inclusive internet, solve web accessibility problems through advanced technology, tools and services, and achieve its vision of making the internet accessible by 2025.
