I wonder if the size of the pants I ordered will fit me, or if the color of the shirt I bought will be as it appears in the picture? I am sure we all have these questions in our minds while choosing and ordering clothes online. However, for a visually impaired individual placing an order, these questions can be even more diversified. Questions such as what kind of fabric the outfit I will order has, what kind of patterns and pictures are on it, or if a combination is made, will the colors of the upper and lower parts be compatible with each other can be added. As a visually impaired person, if you are shopping on an eCommerce site, it can be very difficult to find the answers to these questions.
So is it possible for a blind person to shop on an eCommerce site in an accessible way?
I think accessible shopping is possible with features and enhancements that can be added to these sites. For example, this problem can be solved with detailed descriptions of the clothes being sold, showing colors, fabrics, and suggestions for combinations. If a blind person is going to buy a colored shirt from an eCommerce site, he or she will be able to access the type of fabric, the details of the stripes on the shirt, or the color details of the shirt with a description that can be added to the product. In this way, the blind individual will be able to create his/her own fashion independently, without any support, and will have the chance to buy the clothes that suit him/her. In addition, an online customer representative to be assigned in the clothing categories on these sites can provide access to the details about the clothes for a visually impaired individual. For example, when someone who wants to order a pair of pants for himself/herself enters the eCommerce site, he/she will be able to ask the details of the pants he/she is curious about the details of the pants he/she will buy through a short live conversation with the representative in the relevant category.
For example, it will not be possible to say that eCommerce sites provide an accessible shopping experience in their current state. However, with the improvements that can be made and accessibility features that can be added, it will be possible for a visually impaired person to shop on these platforms alone. If these improvements can be made with an inclusive perspective and a perspective that prioritizes accessibility, I believe that a visually impaired fashion can be created.
Author: Emrecan Bilgin / BlindLook Visually Impaired Community
