Accessibility Dongle

A well-intentioned but ultimately useless or impractical solution to an accessibility problem that disabled people never actually needed or asked for. Coined by Liz Jackson in 2019, the term critiques designs created without meaningful input from the disability community — often by non-disabled designers seeking to "solve" disability. Accessibility dongles typically receive positive media attention and awards but fail to address real needs, reflecting a disconnect between designers' assumptions about disability and the lived experiences of disabled people. The concept highlights the importance of participatory design and community engagement in accessibility work.