Signal #007 – When assumptions replace evidence
Signal to notice
Watch out for assumptions that digital tools work the same way for everyone. Unquestioned assumptions often end up replacing understanding at this level. What evidence do you actually have that no one is excluded?
What this signal reveals
Many digital decisions are built on familiarity. Tools seem intuitive. Processes feel efficient. When no one raises concerns, it is easy to assume everything works as intended. Those assumptions feel reasonable because they are reinforced by habit, speed, and past success. The problem is that assumptions often stand in for evidence. When accessibility is not part of how decisions are framed, the absence of complaints is mistaken for proof that no one is struggling. Barriers remain unseen because people adapt, avoid certain tools, or stop trying altogether. From the outside, the system appears to work. This is how exclusion takes shape without intent. Decisions are made with confidence, not awareness. Until assumptions are questioned, accessibility remains invisible, and the same patterns quietly repeat.
Accessibility is not recognized as a consideration in digital work or decision-making.
What this usually indicates
- Decisions rely on personal experience or habit
- Lack of complaints is treated as confirmation
- No evidence is gathered to test assumptions
Related signals you may notice
- Accessibility is never discussed unless a problem escalates
- Users adapt silently instead of requesting change
- Digital barriers persist without being named
What to pay attention to next
Whether decisions are based on evidence of inclusion, or on assumptions that go unchallenged.
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About Denis Boudreau
Denis Boudreau is a consultant, trainer, and speaker specializing in digital accessibility and disability inclusion. He works with organizational leaders who want to equip their teams with the skills to create accessible websites and digital products – so no one is left behind. A Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA), Denis has trained thousands of web professionals over the past 20+ years and delivered hundreds of workshops in both English and French. He has helped leading brands like Netflix, Salesforce, and Victoria’s Secret embed accessibility into their digital strategies, empowering them to meet legal obligations, improve user experience, and connect with more people, more effectively.