Web Disability Simulator

Name: Web Disability Simulator
Rating: 3.8421052631578942 (19 reviews)
Author: Metamatrix

Simulates how people with disabilities experience the web

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The Web Disability Simulator Chrome extension helps you experience the web as people with various disabilities do. It simulates conditions such as color blindness, low vision, dyslexia, and more, allowing users to better understand the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. This easy-to-use tool makes testing website accessibility straightforward, promoting inclusivity and awareness among developers and designers. Enhance your web development process by integrating inclusive design practices through real-time simulation.

Extension Accessibility Developer Tools Education Productivity

By:

Metamatrix

Users:

20,000

Rating:

3.84

(19) 0.06

Version:

1.1.1 Last updated: 2025-02-11

Creation date:

2019-02-15

Risk:

Permissions:

tabs
storage
activeTab
scripting

Size:

500.74K

Email:

in*****@metamatrix.se

Full description:

Source:

Chrome Web Store

Updated:

a day ago

Ranking

# 6,289 ▲ 71

Other rankings

#420 in Accessibility ▼ 2 #292 in website usage keyword 60 ▼ 3 #292 in website usage. keyword 60 ▼ 3

User reviews

Users appreciate the Web Disability Simulator for its variety of simulations and educational resources that help foster understanding of disabilities, especially among designers aiming for accessible web design. It is praised for being free, ad-free, and useful for awareness. However, multiple users report technical issues on MacOS with Chrome, and some criticize the blunt or insensitive portrayal of certain conditions like ADHD. The extension could improve by allowing adjustable severity levels for simulations.

Pros

Helps users, especially designers, understand and simulate various disabilities for accessibility purposes.
Free and without ads, providing a range of disability simulations.
Includes explanations and additional resources to deepen understanding of disabilities.
Offers a good selection of disability simulations covering sight, mobility, reading, and concentration.
Aids in awareness and discussion about disabilities, potentially fostering inclusive design.

Cons

Some users report it does not work on their MacOS devices with Chrome.
Simulation of disabilities, particularly ADHD, is considered by some as unrealistic or overly simplistic.
Lacks ability to adjust severity levels of the simulated disabilities.
ADHD representation with flashing graphics can be perceived as insensitive or a mockery by some users.

Recent reviews

it shows no effect on my side. Macbook, chrome.

qi*****, 2025-05-27

as a designer, I used this to create a more visible menu

Le*****, 2025-05-19

I think this is good. While I respect the previous comment around the person feeling humiliated by the ADHD representation, I don't feel that way and I have a moderate to severe ADHD diagnosis. I feel that any reference to the condition, particularly in lighthearted way, may actually encourage people to talk about it, so I don't mind. I am also colourblind and while the representation is perhaps a bit over-the-top (although I'll never really know!), again, it's spotlighting a condition and scenario, which will hopefully be talked about and referred to afterwards.

Mi*****, 2024-11-29

View all user reviews ›

Extension safety

Risk impact

Web Disability Simulator requires a few sensitive permissions. Exercise caution before installing.

Risk impact analysis details

Critical Grants access to browser tabs, which can be used to track user browsing habits and history, presenting a privacy concern.

Risk likelihood

Web Disability Simulator has earned a fairly good reputation and likely can be trusted.

Risk likelihood analysis details

High This extension has low user count. Unpopular extensions may not be stable or safe.
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