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Accessibility & Technology

How Do Website Cookies Affect Accessibility?

Sep 2, 2024

How Do Website Cookies Affect Accessibility?

Cookies are not always the sweet treats we delight in consuming, they also create challenges. Web cookies are the small pieces of personal data, stored on your browser. Many websites use cookies to remember user settings, which can affect how content is displayed. If those settings aren’t accessible or adjustable, it can hinder the experience for visually impaired users. 

Some sites may require acceptance of cookies before allowing access. This can create barriers if the prompts aren’t designed with accessibility in mind, making it difficult for users to navigate or understand their options.  Cookie consent notifications often appear as pesky pop-ups, which can be challenging to interact with using screen readers. These alerts can cover important content, making it hard to access information.

Here are some effective strategies to enhance your browsing experience when dealing with cookies:

  • Many browsers allow you to manage cookie settings directly. Familiarize yourself with these options to control how cookies are stored and used. Call Accessibility Support Phone Lines for expert support from Apple, Google and Microsoft.
  • Enable features like Reader View to eliminate pop-ups, and use Magnification and High-Contrast Modes to help you read cookie consent messages and navigate settings more easily.
  • Choose websites that are known for their accessibility. Check if they provide clear cookie consent options that work well with screen readers.
  • If you encounter issues with cookie consent forms, reach out to the website’s support team. Provide feedback about what could be improved for better accessibility.
  • Bookmark websites that offer a good user experience with cookies and accessibility in mind, making future navigation smoother.
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About the Author: Dorrie Rush

Dorrie Rush is the Chief Content Officer and Visual Accessibility Expert at Ophthalmic Edge Patients (OE Patients), an online resource, presented by the Association for Macular Diseases, providing practical information and empowering advice for living a full and successful life with vision loss.

She is the former Director of the Grunwald Technology Center and Information Resource Service at Lighthouse International 2001 to 2016. Dorrie is known to have an eccentric view, which is particularly useful in compensating for her central vision loss from Stargardt Disease.

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