How ad-blocking software could revolutionise disabled people’s lives | Anna Bawden

For blind, learning disabled or epileptic people, autoplaying videos and adverts make many websites inaccessible. So making it easier to block them can only be a good thing

We've all been there: we want to shop online, find a new recipe for supper, catch up on the latest news or watch a video - only to be dazzled by a moving, blinking or flashing advert. These "autoplaying" ads are annoying for most internet users, but for those with disabilities or long-term conditions, they make those websites largely inaccessible.

For people with photosensitive epilepsy, frequently flashing or flickering images could trigger or increase the risk of a seizure, while automatic advertising can be distressing for those with learning disabilities because it hinders concentration and therefore comprehension of the content they are trying to consume.

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