- January: Building Foundations
- What Is Cybersecurity? A Beginner’s Guide to Protecting Data
- Faith in the Digital Age: Balancing Spiritual Life and Technology
- A Beginner’s Guide to HTML and CSS: Building Your First Web Page
- How to Stay Grounded in Faith Amidst a Busy Tech Career
- Common Cyber Threats: How to Recognise and Avoid Them
- Why Christians Should Advocate for Accessibility and Inclusion in Tech
- Setting Up Your First Python Project: A Beginner’s Guide
In a rapidly advancing digital age, the world of technology continues to shape how we connect, learn, and work. However, as Christians, we are called not only to embrace innovation but also to ensure that the tools we create and use reflect God’s love for all people. Accessibility and inclusion in technology are not just ethical or social imperatives; they are deeply rooted in biblical principles.
God’s Call to Love and Justice
At the heart of Christian teaching is the command to love our neighbours as ourselves. Jesus reminds us in Mark 12:31, “The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” This love is not passive but active, compelling us to consider how our actions—or inaction—affect others.
When technology is inaccessible to people with disabilities, it excludes them from participating fully in society. This exclusion contradicts God’s desire for justice and equity. Micah 6:8 urges us, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” As Christians, advocating for accessible technology is an act of justice that aligns with God’s heart for the marginalized.
Inclusion Reflects the Body of Christ
The Apostle Paul likens the Church to a body, emphasizing the importance of every member. In 1 Corinthians 12:22-26, he writes, “On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable… But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.”
This analogy reminds us that inclusion is not optional; it is fundamental to our identity as the Body of Christ. In technology, this means designing systems and platforms that are accessible to everyone, regardless of ability. By doing so, we affirm the dignity and value of each person and reflect God’s inclusive kingdom.
Stewardship of Technology
Christians are called to be good stewards of the resources and opportunities God has given us. This stewardship extends to technology, which has immense potential for both good and harm. Proverbs 31:8-9 exhorts us, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Advocating for accessible technology is one way we can “speak up” for those who face barriers in the digital world. Whether it’s ensuring websites meet WCAG standards, developing assistive technologies, or raising awareness about digital inclusion, our efforts can transform technology into a tool for empowerment and connection.
Practical Steps for Advocacy
Here are a few ways Christians can advocate for accessibility and inclusion in technology:
Conclusion
As followers of Christ, we are called to be agents of love, justice, and inclusion in all areas of life, including technology. By advocating for accessibility and inclusion, we not only fulfill God’s commandments but also bear witness to His kingdom where everyone is valued and included. Let us rise to this challenge, ensuring that technology becomes a means of unity rather than division, a tool that reflects the boundless love of God.
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
