Your team is resistant to accessibility in product design. How can you convince them of its importance?

To convince my team of accessibility's importance, I highlight how it enhances overall user experience and inclusivity. I show that accessible design isn't just ethical—it's smart business, expanding our reach and boosting customer satisfaction. By framing accessibility as a win-win for both users and the company, I help the team see it as essential, not optional.

Ethical Responsibility: ?Inclusion and Equality - Emphasize that accessibility is about creating products that everyone can use, regardless of their abilities. This promotes inclusivity and equal opportunity. ?Human Rights - Many countries have laws mandating accessibility, making it a legal obligation. ?Empathy and Understanding - Encourage team members to put themselves in the shoes of users with disabilities. This fosters empathy and a deeper appreciation for the challenges faced by people with different needs.

Accessibility in product design is not just a best practice—it's a legal imperative ??. Many countries have stringent regulations, such as the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and Section 508 in the U.S., that mandate inclusive design. Ignoring these laws can result in costly penalties ??, legal battles ??, and severe damage to a brand's reputation ??. Drawing from my experience, it's crucial to communicate to your team that accessibility is non-negotiable. By ensuring compliance, you're not only protecting the company but also fostering a culture of inclusivity and innovation ??.

As a product design leader, my team was initially resistant to incorporating accessibility features. To address this, I emphasized the legal imperative, highlighting that neglecting accessibility could lead to significant legal risks, including potential lawsuits and fines. I provided examples of companies that faced legal action due to non-compliance with accessibility standards, illustrating the serious consequences. By framing accessibility as a legal necessity rather than an optional feature, I successfully convinced the team to integrate it into our design process. This shift not only protected the company from legal repercussions but also improved our product's inclusivity.

If your team is resistant to accessibility in product design, start by emphasizing that accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about creating products that everyone can use, which ultimately broadens your market reach. Share real stories and examples where accessible design made a significant difference in users' lives. Position accessibility as a core aspect of good design, not an afterthought, and remind your team that inclusive products are not only ethical but also key to long-term success.

Building user empathy ?????? within your team is essential to overcoming resistance to accessibility in product design. Encourage your team to step into the shoes of users with disabilities by simulating different accessibility scenarios ??, such as navigating the product with screen readers or voice commands. This experiential learning can be transformative ??, helping them realize that accessibility isn't just a checkbox—it’s about genuinely meeting the needs of all users. From my experience, when team members understand the real-life impact of their design choices, they're more likely to embrace accessibility as a core principle ??.

Accessibility is about empowering every user, regardless of their abilities. When your team sees it as an opportunity to enhance the product, rather than an obstacle, they'll start to realize that inclusive design leads to better design. Ask them to imagine the frustration of users who can’t fully engage with the product—wouldn’t it be amazing to remove those barriers? Creating for everyone isn’t just ethical; it’s smart business. As the saying goes, "Good design is good business." Let’s design with empathy and open doors for all.

Create empathy by showing examples of how people with disabilities struggle with inaccessible products. You can use videos, testimonials, or even live demonstrations to illustrate the frustrations and barriers that inaccessible design creates.

Let's say you have 100 million market shares for your web-based product. Among those, around 7.8 million market share are visually impaired (blind, color blind, or need glasses). And here, I'm only considering the eyesight impairment. There are also other kinds of disabilities. So, if your website is not accessible to people with impaired eyesight, then there is a chance you can lose those 7.8% potential customers. So, definitely, an accessible website is vital to expanding your customer base.

Promoting accessibility in product design isn't just about compliance—it's a strategic move for market expansion ??. By ensuring your product is accessible, you open the door to a vast, often untapped market segment: people with disabilities ??. This group represents a significant and growing demographic, and by addressing their needs, you're not only creating a more inclusive product but also unlocking new revenue opportunities ??. From my experience, emphasizing to your team that accessibility can lead to a competitive edge ?? and access to new markets can be a powerful motivator.

Business Benefits: ?Positive Brand Image - Demonstrating a commitment to accessibility enhances your brand's reputation for inclusivity and social responsibility. ?Expanded User Base - By designing for accessibility, you're opening your product to a broader audience, potentially increasing your customer base. ?Improved User Experience - Accessible products often have better overall usability, benefiting all users. ?Legal Compliance - Adhering to accessibility standards can help avoid costly legal issues.

One thing I think is important is using learning/education to empower change. When teams understand why accessibility matters, they're more likely to advocate and implement it. By starting up a culture of learning around accessibility, we can reduce resistance and ensure that inclusive design becomes a natural part of the product development process.