Many visually impaired users of Facebook.com had begun using Facebook Lite, a slimmed down version of the popular social networking site which offered most of the features of the full site, but a cleaner interface and better accessibility, regardless of the platform or screen reader being used to access the service.

Earlier this week, Facebook announced it would be shutting down Facebook Lite without explanation or warning. Visiting Lite.Facebook.com now redirects users to the main Facebook site.

Facebook’s statement merely stated:

Thanks to everyone who tried out Facebook Lite. We’re no longer supporting it, but learned a lot from the test of a slimmed-down site. If you used Lite, you’ll now be taken to the main Facebook.com site.

Visually impaired users looking for a better experience than the full site are limited to the mobile version of Facebook now, although it provides far fewer features than the Lite version did.

This is an unfortunate development for the growing number of visually impaired Facebook users.