The Role of Digital Accessibility and Screen Readers for the Blind: A Study of Facebook Groups

Abstract

Digital accessibility is a key factor in enabling visually impaired individuals to participate equitably in digital environments, and Facebook Groups represent a prominent interactive space in this context. This study aims to analyze how digital accessibility and screen readers contribute to enhancing the social inclusion of blind individuals by assessing the platform's compliance with accessibility standards and examining the impact of technical difficulties on the quality and level of social interaction. The study employed a mixed-methods approach from January to March 2024. A technical analysis of Facebook Groups interfaces was conducted using automated validation tools (WAVE and axe-core), supported by manual testing via the NVDA screen reader, in accordance with WCAG 2.1 guidelines. The field component included a structured online questionnaire (n=75) and semi-structured interviews (n=15) with blind users to correlate indicators of technical limitations with actual user experience. The results revealed a clear accessibility gap: 65% of posts lacked alternative text, and weak page structure impacted keyboard navigation. In the field, 78% of participants described their ease of navigation within groups as "poor," and 85% faced difficulties interacting with visual content. Active participation was 42% lower compared to sighted individuals, while the sense of independence did not exceed 40%. These results indicate that the lack of digital accessibility is not limited to technical aspects but also directly impacts the social inclusion of blind people. Therefore, the study recommends adopting inclusive design principles from the early stages of digital platform development and involving visually impaired users in the design and evaluation processes. This will contribute to improving the user experience and promoting more equitable social participation.