How Blindness Led Me to Cybersecurity — and to Securing Accessibility Itself

2026-05-29 · Source: HackerNoon · Field: Technology & Digital — Cybersecurity & Data Privacy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, medium

Summary

Juan Mathews Rebello Santos, recognized as Brazil's first blind cybersecurity professional specializing in Cyber Defense and Information Security, shares his unique journey into a field often perceived as visual. Born prematurely and becoming completely blind by age nine due to cataracts, Santos discovered technology through systems like DOSVOX, learning to navigate computers via sound, memory, and keyboard shortcuts. He found cybersecurity's invisible nature — networks, packets, protocols — resonated with his non-visual approach, interpreting systems through logic and mental mapping. His achievements include graduating as Brazil's first blind professional in Cyber Defense, earning over 50 certifications, and publishing a vulnerability (CVE-2025-26326) in the U.S. National Vulnerability Database related to the NVDA screen reader. He also founded BNVD, a Portuguese vulnerability database, and authored "Digital Scams," Brazil's first cybersecurity book by a blind author. Santos emphasizes the critical, often overlooked intersection of accessibility and security, especially with AI's rise, advocating for inclusive system design.

Key takeaway

For Directors of AI/ML or AI Security Engineers developing new systems, recognize that diverse perspectives are not merely a social good but a technical imperative. Your designs must integrate accessibility and security from inception, as insecure assistive technologies or inaccessible AI systems create critical vulnerabilities for millions. Actively seek input from disabled professionals to ensure your solutions are robust, inclusive, and secure for all users, preventing unintended discrimination and systemic failures.

Key insights

Blindness can foster unique analytical skills, proving invaluable in cybersecurity and highlighting the critical intersection of accessibility and security.

Principles

• Cybersecurity is fundamentally about invisible systems.
• Accessibility and cybersecurity are inseparable.
• Diverse perspectives strengthen technology design.

In practice

• Interpret invisible systems via sound, logic, structure.
• Prioritize accessibility in AI and security development.
• Translate technical knowledge to local languages.

Topics

• Cybersecurity
• Accessibility
• Artificial Intelligence
• Vulnerability Management
• Inclusive Design
• Cyber Defense

Best for: AI Ethicist, AI Security Engineer, Director of AI/ML

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by HackerNoon.