Safety advice has to be usable
Good online safety guidance is only useful if you can actually read, hear, navigate and act on it. A long page of dense text, a video without captions, a report form that cannot be completed with a keyboard or a verification step that depends on one sense can all leave people out. Disabled people are not at greater risk because of their disability itself, but barriers to information and help can make problems harder to avoid and to resolve.
This guide focuses on finding safety information in formats that work for you, choosing reporting tools that suit your needs, and what to do when they do not. It is general information. It complements the separate discussion of assistive technology security, which looks at protecting the tools themselves.
What accessible safety information looks like
Different people need different formats. Here are features worth looking for:
- Plain language. Short sentences, familiar words, clear headings and step-by-step instructions help many readers, including people with cognitive or learning disabilities and those using a second language.
- Text alternatives. Images should have descriptions so that screen reader users know what they show. Charts and diagrams should be explained in the text.
- Captions and transcripts. Videos should offer captions for deaf and hard of hearing viewers, and transcripts for anyone who prefers to read. Audio descriptions help blind and low vision viewers follow what is shown.
- Clear structure. Properly marked headings and lists let people move through a page quickly with a keyboard or assistive software.
- Adjustable display. Good pages work when you enlarge text, change contrast or use a different color mode.
- Alternative formats. Some organizations offer large print, audio, easy-read versions or a sign language video. It is reasonable to ask whether these exist.
If a page fails these tests, that does not mean the information is wrong, but you may want to look elsewhere or ask for another format.
Where to look
- Your browser and device. Many include reading modes, text-to-speech, text resizing and captions. Use these to adapt content that was not designed with you in mind.
- Disability organizations. National and local groups often publish safety material and may run workshops. Look for those relevant to your type of disability, and check that they have clear contact details.
- Libraries, schools and community centers. Staff may help find, print or read out resources, and some run technology classes.
- Public agencies and consumer bodies. Many publish guidance and provide phone, text relay, email or in-person alternatives.
- Family, friends or support workers. A trusted person can help, though you stay in control of your accounts and passwords. Agree boundaries first, and for a safer way to let someone assist you, see shared account access.
Whichever source you use, check who runs it and how recent the advice is. Be cautious about anyone offering “free help” with your computer who contacts you unexpectedly; this is a common scam pattern covered in phone call scams.
Reporting tools that work for you
If you are harassed, scammed or treated unfairly online, you should be able to report it. Reporting channels vary. Some features to look for:
- More than one route, such as an online form, email, phone, text relay or video relay service.
- Forms that work with a keyboard and a screen reader, with labeled fields and clear error messages.
- Reasonable time limits, and no verification step that relies on only one sense, such as a puzzle image with no audio alternative.
- The option to submit a written statement, screenshots or an attachment rather than needing to explain everything in a call.
- A way to ask for support, such as an advocate or a trusted person acting on your behalf.
Practical steps if you need to report something:
- Save evidence first. Screenshots, dates, usernames and message text can all help. The harassment reporting steps and platform report tools are described elsewhere on this site.
- Write down what happened in short, factual points. A prepared summary can be pasted into a form or read out by someone helping you.
- If a platform’s report tool is not usable, look for a contact email or customer support route, and say plainly that you need an accessible way to report.
- For financial fraud, contact your bank or card provider straight away, using a phone number from your card or statement.
- If you are in danger, contact local emergency services. Many areas offer text or relay options; find out what is available locally before you need it.
Do not assume you are being unreasonable by asking for an adjustment. In many places, organizations have legal or policy duties to provide accessible services, though details differ by country. This article is not legal advice, and a local disability rights organization can explain what applies to you.
If an accessibility barrier blocks your safety
Sometimes the barrier is in the security measure itself, such as a CAPTCHA you cannot complete or a code that expires too quickly. Alternatives often exist: a different verification method, longer time limits, or a human support route. Different verification code options may suit different needs, for example, a physical key may be easier than reading a code, or the reverse. Keeping recovery options up to date means you are less likely to be locked out. When you are, account lockout steps explain what to expect.
Building your own toolkit
- Keep a short list of trusted contacts and accessible reporting routes in a format you can reach easily.
- Note which of your devices and apps offer the accessibility features you rely on.
- Agree in advance with a trusted person how they can help you check an unusual message before you act.
- Revisit your list every few months, since websites and services change.
The core safety habits are the same for everyone: pause on urgent requests, protect your accounts, and report problems. Accessibility is about making sure those habits are within reach.