Crutching

Crutching, in the context of accessibility, refers to the practice of relying on assistive technologies, specifically screen readers and other adaptive tools, to navigate and interact with websites or applications that are poorly designed or lack proper accessibility features.

This term carries a generally negative connotation, implying that a website or application is not inherently accessible and requires users with disabilities to expend extra effort and utilize additional tools to achieve the same level of functionality as users without disabilities. While assistive technologies are crucial for many users, "crutching" suggests that they are being used to compensate for failures in the underlying design and development process. Ideally, websites and applications should be designed with accessibility in mind from the outset, reducing or eliminating the need for users to rely heavily on assistive technology to overcome design flaws.

The concept of "crutching" highlights the importance of inclusive design principles and adherence to accessibility standards such as WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). By prioritizing accessibility, developers can create experiences that are inherently usable and enjoyable for all users, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. A website that requires extensive "crutching" indicates a need for significant accessibility improvements and a reconsideration of design choices. The reliance on "crutching" often results in a less efficient, less intuitive, and potentially frustrating experience for users with disabilities.