It is written by: dr. sc. Zumreta Galijašević Baluković
Do you have a cell phone in your hand? Great. And did you know that thousands of girls with disabilities don't have one?
Sounds like an exaggeration?
No.
“Available to everyone!” – but not “to everyone”.
The internet, technology, apps, schools, work – everything is going online. They say: “It’s great, now everyone has access!”
But if you are a woman with a disability, the digital world often tells you:
"You have no business here."
Because:
They don't give you a phone. "My brother and sister need it for school. You're free."
Online applications are not adapted for screen readers.
Zoom lectures do not have subtitles.
The application that everyone uses for shopping simply does not respond to your voice, your touch,
Help and support platforms – no options for people who cannot see, hear, or type.
Every click you make on the website leads to a dead end.
And so… click by click, the doors are closed. For education. For jobs. For security. For voice.
In an era when lectures, employment, health services, and even love life migrate to screens, women with disabilities remain offline!
And isn't that the case with men too?
Yes – but here's the difference:
Women are less likely to have their own devices.
They are more often controlled by their family or partner.
They have less money for technology.
And often no one even asks them the question: "Do you want to work in IT?"
If you are a girl with a disability, the system whispers to you:
"You're not a priority. Just don't bother."
But they don't give up.
Farida Bedwei, a software engineer from Ghana with cerebral palsy, types with one hand and has created a banking program for 130 institutions.
Christina Mallon is a Microsoft designer from the US. She writes with her feet. She designs products used by millions.
Oreoluwa Lesi is an IT educator from Nigeria. She teaches girls, including those with disabilities, to launch startups.
If they can do it, so can we. In Bosnia and Herzegovina. In your school. In your community. And what is Bosnia and Herzegovina doing?
Something… but not enough:
Programs like the one at IT Girls exist – but girls with disabilities are rarely the target group.
Schools and colleges often lack accessible materials.
Trainings and platforms do not recognize that not all users are the same.
It's time for that to change.
What can you do?
Are you an IT student?
Learn the basics of accessible design. Each line of code can turn a person on or off the Internet.
Are you an activist?
Ask: Is this website accessible to women with disabilities? It's not? Report it.
Are you a designer?
The button that everyone can click is revolution.
Are you just using the internet?
Stop saying, "We're all online," if your sister, friend, mother can't access Zoom without help.
And finally…
If you made it this far – thank you. It means you care.
Share, react, turn into action.
May 15, 2025 – Digital Accessibility Day
Don't let it be just one day for us.
Because until the digital doors are open to everyone – no one is really inside.