Facebook’s recent changes have left many of us who are blind or visually impaired feeling frustrated and disconnected. While it can be a great tool for staying in touch with loved ones, these changes have made it incredibly challenging to navigate the platform effectively.
At the end of last month, Facebook removed the simpler mobile version of their site. For those of us who use screen readers, this stripped-down version was a lifeline. It was easy to navigate, and the reduced clutter made it much easier to find what we were looking for.
Sure, the mobile version of the website was running on old code, and the visual design might have been outdated for those who can see, but screen reader users found it extremely helpful and were able to navigate and benefit from that Facebook mobile version with ease. Now that it’s gone, there’s a lot of confusion among blind users in the forums I belong to, because what once provided convenience and ease of communication has now become a source of frustration and anxiety.
Take me, for example. I heavily rely on Facebook for my online businesses, where the platform is one of the main ways to attract customers. Suddenly, using it has become difficult. With these changes, I don’t know if the flow of income and new subscriptions for my services will be the same.
Accessibility Issues for Regular Facebook
Now, we’re left dealing with the full desktop version, which is riddled with accessibility challenges. The shift has been drastic and overwhelming, especially for those of us who have become accustomed to the simplicity of the Facebook mobile version. Navigating the full desktop site with a screen reader is far more cumbersome, filled with obstacles that make even the simplest interactions frustrating and exhausting. The overwhelming amount of clutter, combined with poor navigation elements and performance issues, has made it nearly impossible to engage with Facebook the way we used to.
The constant auto-scrolling on Facebook is a nightmare
You know how frustrating it is for us screen reader users when we try to locate a specific post, only to be thrown back to the top just as we’re about to land on it? We naturally try again, but the outcome is always the same. It’s like trying to read a book while someone keeps yanking it out of your hands and you can’t do anything about it.
To be specific: my screen reader focus jumps all over the place. When I try to click a link or a button, I often get a different result than what I was expecting. Imagine the time wasted just trying to figure out how to accomplish tasks that were once simple. It makes me wonder, do sighted people also have this kind of problem? I don’t think they do.
I’ve already tried every tool and technique at my disposal, including available keyboard shortcuts, advanced navigation methods, and other strategies known to experienced users, but nothing has worked. That’s why I believe this is entirely a Facebook issue, and the only way to fix it is for them to take action.
Elements that Do Not Have Proper Labels
The unlabeled buttons are another major headache. How am I supposed to know what a button does if it doesn’t have a label? It’s like trying to guess what’s behind a closed door. And don’t even get me started on the posts that refuse to load. It’s incredibly disheartening to try to keep up with friends and family, only to be met with a Facebook newsfeed that no longer works.
Facebook, please, bring back the mobile version. It provided a sense of inclusivity for the blind community. They made us feel like we were part of the conversation, not like outsiders looking in. Accessibility shouldn’t be an afterthought. It should be a fundamental part of your platform.
