The word “inclusivity” brings to mind images of tactile paving on sidewalks and ramps for wheelchairs, but these only offer access to the physical world. What about the digital world? After all, people are spending hours online these days, so shouldn’t inclusivity transcend the bounds of the physical realm? Well, the CEO and Founder of Soul App, Zhang Lu, certainly thinks so.

From the beginning, Ms. Zhang Lu has strived to make her platform accessible and appropriate for users of all ages and walks of life. So, the natural move now was to open the doors to digital socialization for people with disabilities.

In fact, Soul Zhang Lu insists that for anybody who is building, managing, or using digital platforms, accessibility isn’t just a bonus feature – it’s a responsibility because real inclusion should not be limited to just physical infrastructure.

In adherence to these views, Soul App’s team recently launched a “Visible Accessibility” initiative. As part of this ongoing commitment to social responsibility, Soul Zhang Lu’s engineers introduced substantial upgrades to the platform, ensuring smoother, more intuitive experiences for visually impaired users.

But the “Visible Accessibility” initiative was meant to be more than just a platform-wide program; it was essentially a call to action meant to encourage users and developers alike to recognize the digital needs of people with disabilities.

In China alone, over 85 million people struggle with disability related challenges, and among them, approximately 28.5 million live with visual impairments. 

For this group, even daily activities that others take for granted such as navigating public spaces, pose a struggle, hence require tactile and auditory cues. And things don’t get any better when life moves online. Access to digital services like shopping, chatting, or exploring new communities are an empowering experience for people. 

Unfortunately, individuals living with visual disabilities are deprived of these experiences simply because many apps are not designed with inclusivity in mind. A lot of people might counter this statement by mentioning tools like the screen reader.

But here is the thing – If you’re using a screen reader on an app that hasn’t been adapted, basic elements like buttons or navigation prompts might become garbled nonsense. The result? Frustration, exclusion, and the reinforcement of a growing digital divide.

To counter this issue, Soul Zhang Lu’s team came up with the unique concept of a “digital blind path”. As the name suggests, it is inspired by the physical blind paths that guide visually impaired individuals along sidewalks.

So, this digital equivalent of those physical blind paths serves a similar purpose; it allows visually impaired individuals to have seamless access to information and features within Soul app. Make no mistake; the “Digital Blindpath” initiative is not about charity – it’s about empowering users through design.

Under this initiative, Soul Zhang Lu’s engineers have rolled out screen reader compatibility for both Android and iOS platforms. This goes beyond basic functionality and ensures that core user experiences are truly accessible. 

For instance, whether someone is logging in, browsing the community “Soul Square,” joining a group chat party, or publishing content, every interaction is designed with accessibility in mind. Now, an obvious question at this point would be – how is this different from what smartphones already provide through TalkBack or VoiceOver? 

The answer lies in implementation. Yes, these tools are available, but they’re only effective if the app they’re reading is structured with accessibility in mind. Soul Zhang Lu recognized this gap and got her team to act on it.

Soul has a dedicated inclusivity task force across R&D, user research, and product teams. This allows for frequent updates that actively integrate user feedback from visually impaired individuals. In other words, this isn’t just about ticking off features, it’s about recognizing and acting on the actual experiences of people in real-time.

Take, for example, a Soul user known by the handle “Golden Light.” Blind since adolescence due to congenital cataracts, he uses accessibility features on his phone to reconnect with the world. He’s not just surviving – he’s participating, exploring, and thriving in a digital space designed with people like him in mind.

In a nutshell, by offering a space where visually disabled users can interact meaningfully, Soul is doing more than just providing a service; it’s enhancing well-being and promoting self-expression. But why should this matter to the average user or even an app/website designer?

This initiative from Soul Zhang Lu highlights a simple fact: When designing a product, evaluating tech investments, or advocating for policy reform, accessibility is no longer optional. It’s a marker of modern digital maturity. More importantly, it’s a direct path to greater customer satisfaction, brand loyalty, and social impact.

It suggests that each one of us has the power to make a difference, and no matter how small the change, it adds up in the long run. For instance, by incorporating accessibility testing into workflows, supporting platforms that prioritize inclusive design, or simply voicing support for such initiatives, every user and designer is contributing to an inclusive future.

In fact, the beauty of Soul Zhang Lu’s “Visible Accessibility” initiative lies in its collaborative spirit. Soul actively invites users to share their observations of accessibility-friendly facilities around them and to contribute ideas for further enhancements. By doing so, the platform fosters a two-way dialogue, allowing users to feel seen, heard, and valued.

But here’s the best part, Soul Zhang Lu’s team is now working on going from just “usable” to truly “intuitive”. To this end, tweaks are being made to the platform’s interface that not only work for screen readers but feel natural and fluid for everyone.