Ocularcentrism

The privileging of visual perception and visual ways of knowing in the design of technologies, interfaces, and information systems. Ocularcentrism in technology design manifests when visual assumptions are embedded in systems that are intended to be accessible — for example, when text-based notation formats use character placement that makes sense visually on screen but is meaningless or confusing to screen reader users. Recognizing and addressing ocularcentrism is essential for creating genuinely inclusive technology, as it reveals how deeply visual biases can permeate even ostensibly non-visual interfaces and formats.