The Importance of Accessibility in Digital Engagement

In today’s digital world, ensuring that everyone can participate in meaningful conversations is more critical than ever. At Commonplace , accessibility is at the core of everything we do.

By designing inclusive and innovative features, we are continually designing a space where every voice can be heard, regardless of a person’s background, age, or ability.

In this article, we’ll explore why accessibility in digital engagement matters and how it can lead to more vibrant, inclusive communities.

Why Accessibility Matters in Digital Engagement

Digital platforms have the potential to bring people together, but only if they are designed with accessibility in mind. For the 16 million plus people in the UK who live with disabilities - (around 24% of the population) - traditional forms of online engagement can be challenging. This exclusion extends to older adults and individuals who rely on assistive technologies, such as screen readers and voice recognition software.

Despite mandates such as the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018, a staggering 96.3% of homepages globally still fail basic accessibility tests, with similar non-compliance rates in the UK. For many, this means their voices are left out of conversations that shape their communities. Accessibility should never be a barrier, and at Commonplace, we make engagement inclusive for all.

By adhering to WCAG standards for web accessibility, we ensure that key features like keyboard navigation, alt text for images, and alternative options for non-accessible features are built into every site. We’re not just checking boxes - we’re creating digital spaces that invite everyone to participate.

Innovative Tools That Make Participation Effortless

To truly engage people from all walks of life, we’ve incorporated cutting edge features designed to make participation simple and convenient. One of our most popular tools is the voicenote feature, which allows users to share feedback by speaking or writing.

This feature is especially helpful for older adults, many of whom find typing difficult or are less familiar with navigating online forms. With voice notes, they can easily contribute without hassle. The data generated is transcribed by the Commonplace team and can also be analysed using our new TrendsAI solution. This is the key to next level engagement. Free speech tools and free text boxes allow for stronger, more detailed insights and ideas.

But accessibility isn't just about older generations... Our mobile-first approach and intuitive design are built with younger users in mind specifically. Younger people really love our voicenote offering. Commonplace has a 120x increase in engaging younger audiences and 70% of our users are under the age of 45.

Did you know, around 4 in 10 disabled people in the UK use their mobile phone as their primary internet device. By tapping into mobile-friendly, fast, and intuitive methods of communication, we’re creating a digital experience that’s appealing to the next generation while ensuring no one is left out.

Breaking Down Language Barriers

Language can be a major barrier to digital engagement, especially in diverse communities where multiple languages are spoken. At Commonplace, we tackle this by offering our platform in over 18 languages (more coming soon), with more available on demand. By providing content in locally spoken languages, we ensure that non-English speakers or those who prefer communicating in their native language are included in the conversation. Clients can opt for machine or human translations. We often see clients choosing 6-8 languages per site to reach all core demographics in an area.

This multilingual approach isn’t just about ticking off another feature. It’s about making digital engagement truly inclusive, ensuring that language never stands in the way of a person’s voice being heard. With 80% of disabled people(!) having left a website due to accessibility issues, providing language support is a crucial part of our commitment to universal access.

A Mobile-First, Cognitive Design for All Generations

In the UK, 72% of disabled adults regularly use the internet, and many rely on their smartphones to do so. With the rise of mobile internet usage, it’s essential that digital engagement platforms meet people where they are - on their mobile devices. That’s why Commonplace is designed to be mobile-first, ensuring that our platform is accessible and intuitive on smartphones and tablets.

This mobile-first, cognitive design is particularly appealing to younger users, who are more likely to engage on-the-go. By making the experience seamless and responsive across devices, we make it easier for people to share their opinions, no matter where they are.

We also offer Commonplace's Offline Pack, which allows clients to engage face to face using Commonplace with 'survey mode' for face to face data capture, and we also offer a paper survey printing and uploading service for customers ensuring that they can create a hybrid engagement.

A Commitment to Quality and Usability

Beyond our innovative features, Commonplace rigorously tests and quality-assures every site for accessibility. We use an accessibility widget on every Commonplace site, that allows users to adjust text size, colour contrast, and other elements to meet their individual needs.

Our platform also uses accessible language to avoid jargon and complex terms, making it easier for everyone to understand and engage.

Moreover, our customer success teams guide engagement partners on how to avoid or adapt features that aren’t fully accessible yet, such as interactive maps. For example, instead of relying solely on a heatmap, we recommend providing alternative ways for users to submit their location data, ensuring that those using screen readers or navigating via keyboard can still participate fully.

The importance of this approach is underscored by the economic reality: the UK government estimates that around ￡2 billion is lost annually due to inaccessible websites. By ensuring our platform is accessible, we not only enhance engagement but also avoid the costly exclusion of people with disabilities.

Building a More Inclusive Future

As the digital world continues to evolve, digital engagement will only become more important for building better, more connected communities.

When digital spaces are accessible, they open up opportunities for everyone. Whether it’s the 53% of disabled adults in the UK who are in employment and rely on digital tools to engage or the young, tech-savvy generation eager to participate on their mobile phones, accessibility breaks down barriers and creates a future where everyone’s voice matters.

As we continue to prioritise accessibility in digital engagement, we’re not just removing obstacles - we’re building a more vibrant, inclusive future for all.

Charlotte Bowen, Commonplace

[email protected]

+44(0)7853637179