Beyond compliance. Accessibility is a strategic business advantage that expands your market reach by 15%

Accessibility standards are not just about legal compliance; they ensure that digital products and services are usable by everyone, including people with disabilities.?

With 15% of the global population living with disabilities, accessible products have the potential to significantly broaden market reach, enhance user satisfaction, and foster inclusivity. Accessibility isn't just a moral or legal responsibility – it's a strategic advantage.

The data speaks for itself

Accessibility is growing in the digital landscape, shaping how products and services are built. From our experience, we know that:

• Google values accessibility. It factors accessibility into its SEO algorithm, meaning accessible websites rank higher in search results.
• New markets are opened wide. Accessibility efforts expand the customer base by catering to elderly users, users with cognitive, learning, visual, and neurological disabilities, and even those with slow internet connections.
• A11y fosters inclusivity: Accessibility becomes a pillar of inclusivity, especially appealing to Gen Z, who seek ethical and inclusive employers, brands, and products.

Despite its importance, accessibility awareness is lacking.?

The State of Frontend 2024 survey (report to be released in a few weeks) revealed that 34.3% of C-level executives and tech managers are unaware of legal changes regarding web accessibility. Moreover, only 11.2% of organizations are fully compliant with WCAG standards.

Accessibility pain points are many

Companies often discover accessibility issues after encountering negative indicators such as:

• An increasing number of users are failing to complete critical processes like payments.
• A growing bounce rate and user errors on key pages.
• A surge in negative reviews from specific demographic groups.
• A drop in user engagement metrics.

Companies often conduct audits and analyses after these triggers, discovering that many issues could have been avoided with proper accessibility implementation. They then address these through audits and a11y initiatives.

How accessibility SHOULD be properly implemented in every organization

The next a11y deadline on the horizon is June 28, 2025.?

However, accessibility goes beyond mere legal compliance, even though legal obligations are often the first reason organizations start addressing it.

As the digital world continues to evolve, the impact of accessibility will expand, shaping how digital products and the internet are designed and developed. Embracing accessibility presents an opportunity to gain a competitive advantage and tap into new market opportunities – potentially capturing an additional 15% of the market share.

Accessibility should not be the responsibility of a single department. It is a team-wide effort that influences the entire product development process. Developers, designers, and quality assurance (QA) teams must all contribute to ensuring inclusive design.

Organizations must ensure their products and services are accessible to all users, regardless of ability, promoting equality and combating digital exclusion.

Implementing accessibility early in a project is far more cost-effective than retrofitting it later. Nevertheless, accessibility should be prioritized at any stage of a product's lifecycle – it's never too late to start.

Accessibility Review – Our Vision and Proposal

We propose a two-week deadline to implement accessibility improvements that deliver visible results, impact business goals, and, most importantly, enhance user comfort.

The Outcome

• Accessibility audit

A thorough review of design and frontend elements according to WCAG guidelines and/or EN 301 549, the European standard for digital accessibility.

• Backlog for developers

Based on the audit findings, a detailed task list with descriptions, definitions of done (DoD), and implementation guidelines.

• Accessibility implementation sprint

A focused sprint will address and implement the identified accessibility improvements.

Our Value Proposition

• Reduced legal and financial risk. Ensuring full legal compliance with global accessibility standards minimizes potential legal liabilities.
• Enhanced customer experience – by identifying and removing accessibility barriers, organizations can improve user engagement and boost conversion rates.
• Expanded market reach – by removing barriers for people with disabilities, businesses can access an additional 15% of the market, unlocking new growth opportunities.

Start addressing accessibility methodically and cost-effectively before it becomes a rushed, last-minute obligation. Waiting until the deadline creates panic as companies scramble to comply, driving up costs and resource competition. By taking action early, your organization can stay ahead of the curve and avoid chaos while gaining a valuable competitive edge.