Accessible technology has the power to transform lives, but for disabled people, significant barriers remain. As we approach 2025, the tech industry has a chance to embrace inclusion like never before. Here’s my wish list for the advancements I hope to see, ensuring disabled people can fully participate in the digital age.
1. Technologies that truly advance accessibility
While advancements in speech recognition, AI-driven captioning, and augmented reality are promising, they often fall short of practical usability for disabled people. By 2025, I hope to see assistive technologies that are not only innovative but also user-centric—designed with the input of the disabled community and tested in real-world scenarios.
For instance, AI-powered wearable devices, like those designed to guide visually impaired users, represent a significant step forward. However, to make a real impact, these innovations must become more affordable and reliable, ensuring broader accessibility.
The video below highlights a practical example of this potential in action. It showcases how the partnership between Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and the Be My Eyes app enhances independence for blind and low-vision people . By connecting users with sighted volunteers through live video, this collaboration demonstrates the transformative power of AI-driven tools in everyday life.
2. Universal digital accessibility standards
Websites, apps, and software often fail to meet accessibility guidelines. By 2025, universal enforcement of standards like WCAG and EN 301 549 is essential. These standards must also evolve to cover emerging technologies like gaming platforms and virtual reality, ensuring all digital spaces are inclusive.
3. Inclusive design in emerging tech
The rise of immersive environments and virtual reality presents exciting possibilities but also new challenges. Many VR platforms are inaccessible, alienating disabled users. I’d like to see companies prioritise inclusivity in these spaces, ensuring everyone can participate in the next wave of digital interaction.
For an illustration of how inaccessible some mainstream tech can be for disabled people, read my post Apple Watch Series 10: A Missed Opportunity for Disability Inclusion. It would be great to see the Apple Watch become a truly accessible and inclusive device in 2025.
4. Accessible transport through technology
Apps like Uber and Lyft have transformed how we travel, but disabled people continue to face challenges ranging from driver discrimination, to a lack of accessible vehicles and features. By 2025, I want to see stricter regulations, better training for drivers, and app updates that allow for seamless use by all passengers, including those with mobility or sensory impairments.
5. A Motability-style scheme for accessible technology
Technology, much like mobility aids, can be life-changing. However, cost remains a major barrier. A scheme akin to Motability for assistive tech could provide disabled people with affordable access to devices and software, empowering us to engage fully with the digital world.
6. Bridging the digital divide
Digital skills are increasingly necessary for everyday life, yet many disabled people are left behind due to a lack of resources or training. In 2025, I hope to see more fully funded programmes that teach digital literacy to disabled people, closing the gap in skills and fostering independence and employment opportunities.
7. Corporate responsibility and advocacy
It’s time for tech companies to step up and prioritise accessibility. By 2025, I hope to see businesses collaborate with disability advocates from the start of product development. Listening to the community is the best way to ensure products meet real needs rather than making tokenistic gestures.
8. Smarter use of AI and automation
AI has the potential to transform accessibility, but it’s not always implemented wisely. Tools like voice dictation and predictive text need to be more intuitive and less frustrating, especially for those who rely on them daily. I’d like to see AI that adapts better to individual users, making technology seamless and empowering.
For example, Apple Voice Control could incorporate adaptive AI to better serve people with speech impairments. Imagine an AI system that learns to recognise and interpret unique speech patterns over time, offering personalised corrections and improved accuracy. This could make voice-based navigation and dictation truly functional for a broader range of users, rather than causing unnecessary frustration. I previously explored how Apple Voice Control falls short for users with nuanced accessibility needs in my article on The Register. With smarter AI, such tools could be revolutionary instead of limiting.
9. Continued advocacy and awareness
Accessibility isn’t just about technology—it’s a societal issue. By 2025, I want to see broader awareness of the challenges disabled people face in using everyday tech. Events like Global Accessibility Awareness Day and grassroots movements can play a significant role in changing attitudes and driving policy.
10. Real accountability
There must be tangible consequences for failing to meet accessibility standards. Governments and organisations need to enforce penalties for non-compliance while rewarding those that lead the way. Accountability ensures accessibility remains a priority, not an afterthought.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA), coming into effect across EU member states on 28 June 2025, is a promising step forward for accessible technology. As a disabled consumer, I’m encouraged by its focus on critical technologies like voice recognition, which are transformative for accessibility. For people with motor impairments, voice recognition provides an essential alternative to traditional inputs, enabling us to navigate digital services with voice commands. Under the EAA, digital products such as smartphones and websites will be required to integrate these features, setting a new standard for inclusion.
Authorities placing greater emphasis on interoperability could further expand these benefits. For instance, requiring compatibility between digital ecosystems and third-party devices would be a significant win for accessibility. Imagine a world where any pair of headphones or smart glasses seamlessly connects with Apple’s Siri, empowering disabled people to control their homes, send messages, and access essential features—all hands-free. Strong regulations like the EAA and the Digital Markets Act could have the potential to transform this vision into reality.
Looking ahead
The journey towards truly accessible technology is far from over. But with thoughtful design, collaboration, and commitment, 2025 could be a landmark year for accessibility. Disabled people deserve to fully participate in the digital age, and the time to act is now.
What are your hopes for accessible technology in 2025? Let’s discuss in the comments below.
