Editor's Note: This blog was updated on Aug 15, 2024.
Making Digital Accessibility a Priority
Have you considered how features like Amazon’s Alexa, dark mode, or captions enhance your online experience? They’re not just cool add-ons—they’re examples of digital accessibility in action. And the truth is, making your website accessible isn’t just about helping people with disabilities; it’s about creating a better experience for everyone and optimizing your site’s overall performance.
Why Web Accessibility Matters
Let’s look at some important numbers that highlight why web accessibility is crucial:
- Over 1 billion people globally live with some form of disability. This includes visual, auditory, cognitive, and physical impairments—each of which can impact how users interact with your site.
- 1 in 4 U.S. adults—over 61 million Americans—experience a disability that affects major life activities, making accessibility essential for reaching this audience.
- Vision impairment is a growing concern, with 217 million people experiencing moderate to severe impairment—a number expected to triple by 2050. Ensuring your site is accessible helps you serve this expanding demographic.
The Economic Impact
People with disabilities have significant spending power, with nearly $490 billion in after-tax disposable income. However, many still face challenges when using websites. By optimizing your site for accessibility, you’re not just complying with standards—you’re tapping into a broader market, enhancing user experience, and driving engagement.
Lawsuits Can Be Costly—Financially and to Your Reputation
Non-compliance with accessibility standards can lead to expensive lawsuits and damage your brand’s reputation. Public disputes, such as Domino's legal battle over web accessibility, show the risks involved. But by addressing accessibility proactively, you protect your company from legal issues and build trust and loyalty with your audience.
Technical Benefits of Prioritizing Accessibility
Accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about optimizing your website’s performance and scalability. Here’s how it benefits your IT strategy:
- Improved Site Performance: Accessible websites are often more efficient, with cleaner code and faster load times, leading to lower bounce rates and better SEO performance.
- Reduced Maintenance Costs: Integrating accessibility from the start minimizes the need for costly fixes later, reducing technical debt and streamlining future updates.
- Future-Proofing: As accessibility standards evolve and the population ages, ensuring your site is accessible today means you’re better prepared for tomorrow’s challenges.
Understanding the Impact: Who Benefits?
Accessibility enhances the experience for everyone:
1. Users with Limited or Low Vision: According to the World Health Organization, about 2.2 billion people globally have vision impairment or blindness. By making your text larger and using high-contrast colors, you're not just helping people with vision problems; you're making your website easier to use for everyone.
2. Users with Cognitive Limitations: According to the World Bank, nearly 10% of the world's population has some form of cognitive disability. By simplifying your website's navigation and using clear, concise language, you're not just helping people with cognitive difficulties; you're making your website more user-friendly for everyone.
3. Multi-lingual Users: Over half of the world's population is bilingual, and around 43% speak more than one language, according to Ethnologue. By offering language options and easy-to-understand content, you're helping non-native speakers and making your website more accessible to everyone.
4. The Aging Population: According to the United Nations, by 2050, 1 in 6 people will be over 65. As people age, their eyesight, hearing, and motor skills may decline. By making your website more accessible to see, hear, and navigate, you're not just helping older folks; you're making your website more user-friendly for everyone.
5. Users with Temporary Disabilities: Temporary disabilities, such as broken bones or recovering from surgery, can affect anyone at any time. By making your website easier to navigate and use without a mouse, you're not just helping people with temporary disabilities; you're making your website more user-friendly for everyone.
Prioritizing Accessibility for All
Your goal is to build digital platforms that are not only functional but also resilient and forward-thinking. Prioritizing accessibility supports these goals by enhancing performance, reducing costs, and ensuring compliance with evolving standards.
TL;DR:
Accessibility is more than accommodating disabilities—it’s about creating a robust, scalable, and future-proof digital platform that effectively serves all users. By integrating accessibility into your strategy, you position your organization for sustained success.
Need help? UsableNet’s managed service can take the accessibility work off your plate, helping you fully meet WCAG standards with minimal impact on your resources. We become your accessibility team so you can focus on your roadmap. Schedule a consultation to learn more.
