Empowerment

A process through which individuals with disabilities gain control over their own lives, make informed decisions, and develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence to advocate for themselves. In accessibility and disability contexts, empowerment involves shifting power dynamics so that people with disabilities are recognized as experts in their own experiences, actively participate in decisions affecting them, and have the resources and support to exercise self-determination. Empowerment-focused technology design prioritizes user agency, independent learning, and building capabilities rather than creating dependency.