The Internet You Didn’t Know Existed (Through Someone Else’s Eyes)

Imagine opening your favorite website — but the text blurs into static, buttons whisper "click here" without context, pop-ups hijack your focus every few seconds. For millions of people, isn't a hypothetical glitch; it’s an everyday reality that turns simple tasks into frustrating puzzles. The internet, meant to connect and inform, often delivers isolation for 1.3 billion people with disabilities instead.

The Hidden Internet: When Digital Spaces Exclude Instead of Connect

The Hidden Internet

For those with impairments, the web is a labyrinth of broken interactions, missing context, and inaccessible design. Navigating the digital world can feel like trying to read a book with half the pages torn out. Every interaction demands extra effort, creativity, and patience — things many of us take for granted when we browse seamlessly.

The Broken Web: By the Numbers

• 96.3% of homepages fail basic accessibility standards (WebAIM Million 2023). Missing alt text, vanishing focus states, and “invisible” headings plague even government and healthcare sites.

• 60% of screen reader users abandon tasks due to unlabeled buttons or erratic navigation (WebAIM).

• 4,061 lawsuits targeted inaccessible websites in 2023 alone — a 300% surge since 2018 (Seyfarth Shaw).

This isn’t just about compliance. It’s about human dignity.

Stories That Open Eyes

• Jessie, 18, with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), and potential dyslexia/dyspraxia: "There are so many things on the Internet that frustrate me everyday—too many flashing ads and bright colors, confusing menus, endless paragraphs, unclear tones and emotions. There's too much information, too little information, too many activities going on."

• Quinn, 20, with ADHD and dyslexia: "Some websites are so overwhelming I just give up halfway through. Pop-ups, flashing elements, auto-playing videos — it’s like my brain short-circuits, and I can’t focus on what I came for. What should take seconds stretches into an exhausting, mental maze."

• Aisha, 34, carpal tunnel syndrome: “After my diagnosis, I couldn’t grip a mouse. But so many sites block keyboard shortcuts. It’s difficult even when ordering groceries - feels like a combat sport!”

• Duong, 45, visually impaired: "I rely on screen readers, but if a button just says 'Click here,' it’s like stepping into the dark without a flashlight. I need context to know where I’m going, but many sites treat accessibility as an afterthought."

• Aikeo, 68, early-stage dementia: “I forget where I am in checkout flows. If a site doesn’t guide me clearly, I panic and close the tab. My son now orders my meds for me.”

The Ripple Effect of Exclusion

Accessibility isn’t niche — it’s universal design in disguise. A well-designed website benefits not only those with specific needs but also those in temporary or situational circumstances:

• A parent holding a child in one arm, needing voice command or keyboard shortcuts for navigation.

• A commuter struggling to read text under bright sunlight.

• A student dealing with information overload, needing clean, distraction-free content.

The widespread inaccessibility of the internet reflects a critical gap in digital equity. Addressing these issues isn’t just a matter of compliance — it’s a matter of basic human rights. Many features we now consider standard originated from accessibility needs — like dark mode (born for light sensitivity) now aids late-night workers, voice navigation (built for motor disabilities) helps drivers and busy parents, and adjustable font sizes. Prioritizing accessibility doesn’t just remove barriers; it enhances usability and inclusivity for all.

Moreover, 90% of brands are missing the spending power of the global disability community of $1.9 trillion (Return on Disability). When sites exclude, they don’t just lose users—they hemorrhage trust and revenue.

Why Current Fixes Fall Short

Most solutions are reactive, not proactive. Overlays and widgets like AccessiBe face backlash for “band-aid” fixes that miss nuanced needs. Alt text generators describe images as “woman smiling” but omit critical context like “woman signing I need help in ASL.” Cookie-cutter designs assume all screen reader users navigate the same way. They don’t. Compliance checklists can’t solve human problems.

Empathetic AI to Remove Web Barriers

We believe the future of the web lies in empathetic AI that embraces sentiment-aware accessibility, adaptive design, and intuitive interactions. Instead of forcing users to struggle through rigid interfaces, technology can adapt to meet them where they are. Imagine an internet that senses when a user is overwhelmed and automatically reduces visual noise or enlarges key elements for clarity:

• Sentiment-aware UI: Detects frustration (rapid clicks, prolonged hovering) and softens layouts, mutes autoplay.

• Context-first alt text: AI scans page themes to label “Click here” as “Open chat support for billing questions.

• Neuro-inclusive modes: Simplifies menus for ADHD users, adds time stamps for those with memory loss.

Our inspirations

• Microsoft’s Seeing AI narrates visual scenes for the blind.

• Spotify’s mood-based playlists hint at emotion-driven personalization.

And the Vision: Technology That Truly Listens

We plan to transform how people experience the internet—a tool that blends compliance with compassion. But how? Here are some ideas we're excited to share:

1. Stress-reduction engine: Automatically pauses animations when users linger too long on a button.

2. Smart contrast: Adjusts colors based on ambient light (sun glare? Night mode?) and user preferences.

3. Frictionless navigation: Lets users save “safe zones” (e.g., simplified checkout flows) for repeat visits.

But we’re cautious:

• Privacy-first design: No facial tracking; emotion is inferred via interaction patterns.

• User control: Override AI adjustments anytime.

By combining empathy with innovation, we can create a more humane digital landscape — one where frustration fades, and information flows effortlessly. It’s not just about fixing the web; it’s about reshaping it into a place where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported.

Join Us in Building a Kinder Internet

The internet’s greatest flaw is its rigidity. We’re rewriting the code:

• Developers: Test our open-source SDK to bake empathy into your apps.

• Advocates: Share your stories to train our AI on real struggles, not hypotheticals.

• Everyone: Demand better. The #A11y revolution isn’t about edge cases — it’s about redefining default.

The internet should be for everyone. If you’ve ever felt frustrated online — or simply want to be part of something meaningful — join our waitlist. Help shape the future of accessible browsing and be part of a movement that makes the web a place where everyone feels at home.

“Accessibility is the soil. Innovation is the flower.” — Haben Girma, Disability Rights Lawyer

Be part of the fix: Join our waitlist and help build a web that bends, not breaks!