Skyscanner's web products required thorough accessibility testing and accurate reporting. Fortunately, Skyscanner's senior leadership team was passionate about accessibility and strongly supported Heather's efforts. Heather and her team then had the task of getting all Skyscanner business units to learn, perform, and prioritize digital accessibility best practices.
Heather needed a solution that would highlight the necessity for accessibility improvements at Skyscanner and address the identified issues effectively. She chose UsableNet AQA, an advanced digital accessibility testing platform.
UsableNet AQA enabled Heather to gather detailed data showcasing accessibility challenges on Skyscanner's desktop and mobile websites. This data was essential for illustrating the gaps to stakeholders and ensuring accountability.
The platform's precise identification of issues and actionable suggestions allowed the Skyscanner team to address these barriers efficiently. With AQA, they could pinpoint specific problems, understand their impact, and prioritize solutions. The scalable process Skyscanner adopted with AQA created a clear roadmap to enhance website accessibility.
Heather and her team, guided by their commitment to digital accessibility, strategically onboarded UsableNet AQA. They set up the platform, trained the team, and established a workflow for addressing identified issues. The platform's detailed overviews allowed the team to prioritize issues based on severity and complexity, focusing on high-impact areas first.
Using UsableNet AQA, Skyscanner significantly improved the accessibility of their web products. The platform's efficiency in testing and reporting enabled prompt issue resolution, enhancing the user experience for people with disabilities.
Although the moral reason of inclusion is Skyscanner’s main driving force, Heather adds, "The commercial reasons are also clear. You're increasing your customer base quite a long way, which means increased revenue. The disabled community is very loyal. When something does [work well for them], they want to talk about it, share it with their community, and stay with you."
When they first started conducting accessibility audits of their digital web products, Skyscanner scored 69%. Over time, and with consistent efforts, they achieved their goal of 95% accessibility, surpassing their initial target.
Heather reflects, "When we first started auditing our products, we were at an average of 69% accessible across our desktop and mobile web products. Now, that was from automated auditing, and we know that does not cover the full range of potential issues. But it was a great place to start. Last year, our goal was 85%, which we reached. And this year, our goal is 95%, which we've already reached. So, we're delighted with that. It’s been such a great way to get teams thinking about accessibility on a regular basis and help build it into their standard processes."
Key Outcomes
Heather continues to be a proactive advocate for digital accessibility both within Skyscanner and across the travel industry. By sharing insights and advocating for inclusive practices, she aims to improve digital inclusion and accessibility for all travelers. Skyscanner remains committed to refining its digital spaces to ensure a seamless and accessible experience. Heather reflects, "It's just ongoing. It will never end. Things will constantly change and grow."
Skyscanner's journey underscores the importance of a robust business case for digital accessibility. Leveraging UsableNet AQA, Heather demonstrated the value of accessibility and secured buy-in from teams across Skyscanner. Heather's efforts were supported by passionate executives who understood the importance of inclusivity. Finding the right partner with UsableNet and a best-in-class testing platform like AQA has been critical to Skyscanner's accessibility mission.