My View - digital accessibility that works

VIEW - Andrea Midgen, Chief Executive, Blind Low Vision NZ

One of the most consistent messages we hear from our community at Blind Low Vision is about the need for digital accessibility that truly works for them. Accessing everyday essentials – from paying a bill to booking a doctor’s appointment – should be simple, intuitive, and equitable. It's about dignity and fairness. 

I recently had the privilege of speaking at a breakfast event hosted by Hon Louise Upston for Blind Low Vision NZ at Parliament. The event was to promote requirements for digital accessibility, both in the public and private sector. It was a positive event with lots of discussion happening between key people, including MPs, Ministry representatives and heads of adjacent organisations.

At Blind Low Vision NZ, our purpose is simple, yet powerful: to empower people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision to live the life they choose. We currently support around 16,000 clients, but we know the community we represent is much larger. We estimate around 193,000 New Zealanders live with vision loss today. That number is expected to grow to 225,000 by 2028, especially as we have an aging population.

The digital opportunity 

The most common eye conditions, such as Age-related Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma and Cataracts, affect thousands of people every year. And behind each number is a person who wants the same thing we all do: to connect, to contribute, and to live independently.

When discussing healthcare especially, accessibility has a huge impact on someone’s life. If a form is inaccessible, it could lead to privacy breaches as people have to list their conditions out loud; important information about one’s condition can go unread; and letters informing patients of doctor’s appointments could be missed entirely. 

Digital health has the possibility of greatly improving the system for members of the blind, deafblind and low vision community, but only if accessibility is considered from the outset of design.

Getting accessibility right

Part of patient care, and treating the whole person, means considering accessibility needs, not just the details of their medical condition. A diagnosis by itself doesn’t tell you a person’s level of functional vision and what format they will need information in. In order to achieve a consistent and equitable quality of healthcare, accessibility needs must be a part of a person’s patient profile, not just their medical history.

Disability-specific training must not be skimped on in the healthcare sector. Disabled people across the board interact with the healthcare system twice as much as non-disabled people. Such an important area of people’s lives requires extra attention into getting accessibility right.

Additionally, accessibility needs to be considered as an employer. Disabled people, including those who are blind, deafblind or have low vision, are more than capable of working in many areas of healthcare. Too often we forget about disability in conversations around hiring practices. 

The importance of representation

The lack of blind and low vision representation in healthcare means that misunderstandings surrounding blindness and reasonable accommodations continue to be pervasive in the healthcare sector.

In the European Union, accessibility compliance is already standard practice, and that’s the level of excellence we should strive for here in Aotearoa New Zealand.

From new AI technology, to better data collection, to the simple accessible Word document instead of a print letter, digital health opens up many opportunities for improving the landscape for blind, deafblind and low vision people. 

We at Blind Low Vision NZ urge you to look towards the future of digital health and consider what changes you could implement to improve accessibility in your area of work.

We have collaborated with HiNZ in 2025 on a podcast series highlighting the issues discussion. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Strengths, not deficits: A blind low vision perspective on working in healthcare

How to be an accessibility winner: a Blind Low Vision perspective

Accessing healthcare: a Blind Low Vision perspective

If you want to contact eHealthNews.nz regarding this View, please email the editor Rebecca McBeth.

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