Bridging the Digital Divide: Technological Solutions and Political Dimensions of Web Accessibility

Digital accessibility is a critical yet overlooked issue in the modern internet landscape, dictating who can and cannot engage with online services. Despite legal mandates such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), many websites remain inaccessible, reinforcing systemic exclusion and oppression. This research investigates how inaccessible web design perpetuates social hierarchies and marginalizes individuals with disabilities, applying Langdon Winner’s framework of Technological Politics, which asserts that technological decisions reflect and reinforce power structures. By analyzing legal cases like Robles v. Domino’s Pizza, LLC, regulatory frameworks, and industry practices, this study examines how digital exclusion is not merely an oversight but a political decision. Findings are expected to demonstrate that inaccessible design choices systematically disadvantage disabled individuals, emphasizing the need for stronger regulatory enforcement and broader adoption of accessibility standards. This research contributes to Science, Technology, and Society (STS) studies and engineering ethics by highlighting accessibility as not just a compliance issue but a moral and social imperative. Understanding web accessibility through a political lens challenges developers and policymakers to recognize the consequences of their design decisions, advocating for a digital infrastructure that prioritizes inclusion. Addressing these barriers is essential in ensuring that technological advancements benefit all users, rather than reinforcing existing inequalities.

School of Engineering and Applied Science

Bachelor of Science In Computer Science

Technical Advisor: Briana Morrison

STS Advisor: Bryn Seabrook