Accessibility has never been more important when it comes to technology - Jason Crispin
Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day, commonly known as GAAD, and the aim is to encourage people to think, talk and learn about digital accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities and impairments.
In a world where almost every service, interaction and business process has moved online, accessibility has become a critical issue for organisations of all sizes. Websites, apps, online documents and digital platforms must now work effectively for everyone, including people with visual, hearing, motor or cognitive impairments. If you have a website, try navigating it without your mouse to see how users with motor challenges might experience it.
At AUDITSU, we see accessibility as more than compliance. It is about creating better digital experiences for everyone. Businesses often focus heavily on aesthetics and functionality, but accessibility is what ensures no customer or employee is excluded from using digital services. However, accessibility can also be impacted by your environment, not just disabilities e.g. navigating a website on your phone in the sun can be particularly challenging when colour contrast isn't sufficient.
Its importance is now significant for any business trading in Europe, since the European Accessibility Act came into force last year. Companies are already being taken to court, and this is a trend which will continue to grow.
According to GAAD organisers, the movement was created to raise awareness around digital inclusion for the more than one billion people worldwide living with disabilities or impairments. That figure alone highlights why accessibility should be part of every digital strategy rather than treated as an afterthought.
Across the UK, businesses are increasingly recognising that inaccessible systems can create significant barriers. Whether it is unreadable website text, poor colour contrast, videos without captions or online forms that do not function properly with assistive technology, even small issues can prevent users from accessing vital information or services.
Accessibility is also becoming a commercial priority. Inclusive digital design improves usability for all customers, not just those with disabilities. Features such as clear navigation, readable content and voice compatibility often create faster, smoother experiences for every user. Businesses that invest in accessibility frequently see improvements in customer engagement, search engine performance and overall user satisfaction.
This week’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day is particularly relevant as organisations continue accelerating their digital transformation programmes. More services are moving online, artificial intelligence is becoming more widespread and customer expectations around digital experiences continue to rise. If accessibility is ignored during that process, businesses risk excluding large sections of society.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that accessibility only applies to large corporations or public sector organisations. In reality, every business with a website, customer portal or digital communication channel has a responsibility to think inclusively. Small improvements can make a major difference. Adding captions to videos, improving website readability or ensuring forms are keyboard accessible can dramatically improve user experiences.
Jason Crispin is the founder of AUDITSU.