Introduction
Society is made up of people from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, races, religions, physical and mental abilities. Companies should ideally be accessible to as many people as possible, including those living with physical or mental disabilities. By ensuring that business is accessible, the organizations not only make life easier for people with disabilities, but also open up their market to a broader range of potential customers.
Why organizations should invest in Accessibility?
Expanding the customer base
About 1.3 billion people worldwide (16%) have experienced a significant disability at some point in their lives (Allyant). By making your products, services, and digital content accessible, you can tap into a larger and more diverse customer base.
The degree of disability and impairment can be divided into 3 groups; permanent, temporary, and situational disabilities/impairments. And by being aware of these 3 groups when designing and developing your application, you will be able to increase your audience. (Adapt agency).
When businesses demonstrate a commitment to accessibility, it can build trust and loyalty among customers. People are more likely to return to and recommend businesses that prioritize inclusivity.
Legal & Government requirement
Many countries have laws and regulations that require businesses to provide accessible services and products (Hurix Digital). Non-compliance can lead to legal issues, fines, and damage to a company’s reputation. People may be hesitant to do business with companies that have gone through a digital accessibility lawsuit if not handled properly, especially if they have not followed up with creating accessible digital products or shown an ongoing commitment to ensure equitable digital access.
Digital accessibility lawsuits in the U.S. have consistently increased in recent years to roughly 4,000 in 2022, and courts are increasingly ruling in favor of digital accessibility (Allyant).
Today, the Web Content Accessibility Guideline (WCAG) only affects public and publicly supported organizations. But by 2025 a similar act will be mandatory for the private sector (Sikkerhedsstyrelsen).
Positive brand image & Competitive advantage
Companies that prioritize accessibility demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility. This can enhance their brand image and reputation, leading to increased customer loyalty and positive word-of-mouth marketing.
Better business accessibility will make the company stand out, not just in the eyes of the users that directly benefit from accessibility, but also those that most value social impact.
In industries where accessibility is not yet a standard practice, investing in accessibility measures can give a business a competitive edge. Being an early adopter of accessible technology or services can differentiate a company from its competitors.
Improved User Experience for all
Accessibility is about user experience (Agildrop). The purpose of accessibility is to make environments, services, and products more accessible to people with disabilities and limitations. From this perspective, it stands to reason that accessibility is another aspect of usability because it promotes an easy user experience (The wise marketer). Accessibility features often benefit not only people with disabilities but also the general population.
Think user scenarios
For example, closed captions in videos benefit not only the deaf and hard of hearing but also those who prefer to watch content without sound in public places. Businesses that make their products and services more user-friendly can create a better overall experience for all customers.
Search engine optimization (SEO)
Accessible websites/platforms and digital content are often more SEO-friendly. Search engines reward websites/platforms with good accessibility practices, leading to higher search rankings and increased organic traffic.
Improved SEO shouldn’t be the primary reason for practicing digital accessibility, but it is an added benefit all teams should strongly consider.
Employee satisfaction
Employees appreciate working for organizations that value inclusivity and diversity. Prioritizing accessibility can enhance employee morale, attract top talent, and reduce turnover. (Culturemonkey).
It’s the right thing to do!
Accessibility is not just a matter of legal compliance, social responsibility, moral/ethics reasons… it’s the right thing to do!
Just like you would hold open the door for your elderly neighbor who has trouble walking, you’d want to extend that same courtesy to everyone who wishes to enter your digital environment (Agildrop).
Even if business outcomes are your number one priority, you’d naturally want as many users and/or customers as possible. Making your business more accessible will open the door to all kinds of opportunities.
References
- Accessibility vs. Inclusive Design – Nielsen Norman Group
- 5 Reasons why Accessibility good for business – Allyant
- 5 Reasons why business accessibility is important – Hurix
- The importance of accessibility in business – Market Business News
- Why Web Accessibility Is Important for Your Business – The Wise Marketer
- 7 reasons why accessibility is good for business – Agiledrop
- Why accessibility is important from a business value perspective – Adapt Agency
- Diversity in the workplace: Why is it important? – Culture Monkey
