Why 1.3 billion people depend on progress, not perfection

How GitHub's accessibility pledge tackles open source at scale and how to get involved.

Technology powers everything from getting jobs to interacting with government, but 1.3 billion people with disabilities face barriers when that technology isn’t accessible. In this episode, Ed Summers, blind developer and head of accessibility at GitHub, joins the We Love Open Source podcast to share why open source accessibility matters at scale, how GitHub’s pledge is creating momentum, and why progress beats perfection when building inclusive technology.

Ed frames the accessibility challenge through three critical reasons GitHub is investing in open source:

1. Mainstream technology relies on open source. If the foundational layers aren’t accessible, making consumer-facing websites and applications accessible becomes exponentially harder. Fix the foundation, fix everything downstream.
2. People with disabilities need to contribute to open source. That’s how developers learn the craft and build resumes that lead to jobs. Blocking disabled developers from contributing limits the talent pool and perpetuates exclusion.
3. Open source enables custom assistive technologies. It provides a unique space for people with disabilities to create their own tools, share solutions, and build communities around assistive technologies specific to their needs. Think wheelchairs, but built collaboratively in the open.

GitHub’s first major delivery on their accessibility pledge was the Open Source Accessibility Summit held at All Things Open. The response revealed significant demand: 300 people registered and another 500 joined the waitlist to spend a rainy Sunday working on accessibility roadmaps. The summit focused on creating a first-pass roadmap for improving open source accessibility at scale, with all work happening in a GitHub organization where anyone can get involved. Ed emphasizes that progress matters more than perfection. Many people approaching accessibility are beginners, but the community is welcoming and the work is approachable. 

Developers can find the organization at gh.io/open-source-accessibility and join the Slack workspace where conversations are already underway. GitHub Universe is happening on Oct 28-29, 2026.

Read more: 6 must-read Linux and open source tutorials

Key takeaways

• Open source accessibility has a multiplier effect: When foundational open source projects are inaccessible, mainstream technology built on top becomes harder to make accessible. Fixing the foundation fixes everything downstream.
• Disabled developers need contribution access for careers: Open source is how developers learn, build resumes, and find jobs. Blocking disabled contributors from participating perpetuates exclusion from the industry.
• Progress beats perfection in accessibility work: The community is welcoming to beginners, and incremental improvements matter more than waiting for perfect solutions. Ship early and learn constantly.

Ed’s message is clear: Accessibility isn’t a nice-to-have feature, it’s essential infrastructure. With 1.3 billion people with disabilities worldwide, building accessible technology from the ground up through open source creates opportunity for everyone. The movement needs contributors at all skill levels, and the work starts with taking that first step.

More from We Love Open Source

• 15 open source backup solutions to protect your data
• 10 common Linux issues and the fast fixes you need
• Stop guessing, start measuring developer engagement
• 6 must-read Linux and open source tutorials
• 5 forces driving DevOps and AI in 2026