Introduction
Today, technology offers remarkable possibilities, empowering individuals with disabilities to navigate both professional and personal spheres with greater ease. For example, did you know that individuals who are blind can now effortlessly engage with web content through text-to-speech technology, transforming text into audible descriptions? The reverse, with speech-to-text, helps them write emails. The same innovation aids those with dyslexia, facilitating smoother comprehension and interaction with digital content. Read on to learn more about how focusing on accessibility is also good for business.
1. Grow your user base and keep customers engaged
Did you know that 1.3 billion people worldwide live with disabilities? That's about one in six people. If we look at Europe, there are 87 million people living with disabilities. By improving usability, you are opening doors to a larger audience and potentially boosting your revenue.
A common misconception is that disabilities are always visible, but in reality, up to 80% of disabilities are invisible. This means that making your products more accessible can benefit more people than you think.
Here are a few examples of invisible disabilities and how accessibility may benefit those who experience them. Everyone is different, so read the examples below as general suggestions rather than strict rules.
Epilepsy
Difficulty viewing video content, patterns with lots of lines, and webpages with a lot of changing colour contrast.
Chronic pain
Difficulty using hands and fingers to navigate pages. Small font sizes and inability to use screen readers can make chronic pain such as migraines worse.
Blindness
Since blindness is a spectrum, reviewing colour contrast, ensuring content is responsive when zoomed in and on various screen sizes, and adjusting styles and attributes for links and buttons can help those with visual impairments.
Dyslexia
Screen readers are helpful for many disabilities beyond visual impairment, including those with dyslexia. With approximately 9 to 12% of the global population living with dyslexia, designing your website to be usable with screen reader technology can open your content to a larger potential audience.
Remember, digital accessibility is not just about attracting new users; it's also about keeping your current users happy and engaged. With competition already fierce in the tech space, don’t let your competitors get ahead of you.
2. Enhance readability for better SEO performance
When done right, focusing on accessibility is a strategic decision that can significantly enhance search engine optimization (SEO) outcomes. When it comes to digital content, a well-structured website with thoughtfully crafted content not only makes it easier for users to find what they need but also aligns with search engine algorithms, which prioritise websites that provide an accessible user experience.
When users can quickly locate relevant information on your site due to well-organised content, search engines recognise this positive engagement and are more likely to rank your pages higher in search results. Using clear heading structures, descriptive titles, and simple language are some quick changes you can make to start improving right away.
3. Reduce legal risk and avoid fines
Starting in June 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) will affect all businesses operating within the European Union, whether they're B2B or B2C. This new legislation is crucial to understand due to its tight thirty-day deadline for paying fines if your organisation is not compliant.
To navigate these new rules, check out this detailed explanation of the EAA. Getting familiar with these guidelines can help businesses put measures in place to reduce legal risks and avoid potential fines.
Conclusion
Ensuring your content is accessible isn't a one-time task; it's a mindset that should be integrated into every stage of product and content development. Embracing digital accessibility isn't just about following the rules—it's about expanding your reach, keeping your users happy, and growing your business sustainably in an ever-expanding digital world.
Looking for further reading? Check out this article about how we at tretton37 are creating our accessibility plan.
Need help now? We have experts who can help by answering questions, reviewing your accessibility, and creating your path forward. Enquire here.
Let's get proactive and make our digital spaces more accessible for everyone!
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