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There is significant research to suggest that organizations that put accessibility as a core part of their overall business strategy are substantially more successful than those that do not. For example, today 77% of consumers are motivated to purchase from companies committed to social responsibility, while 90% percent of employees who work at socially responsible companies say they’re more inspired, motivated, and loyal - in short, more engaged. You can learn more here.
The impact they experience is real right across the organization. Specifically the four key business performance indicators affected are around:
Let’s take a deeper dive.
Over the past two decades, ‘design thinking’ has revolutionized product design. This approach emphasizes solutions and user experience, observing how people interact with their environments and products with empathy. As a result, products designed to be intuitive for blind users are also easy for sighted users, but the reverse isn't true. Designing with only sighted users in mind often results in inaccessible products for blind individuals. A strong focus on accessibility leads to better products for everyone.
Every business should care about their brand and strive to protect and enhance it, as a poor brand perception can lead to failure. A strong commitment to accessibility showcases genuine Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), boosting the business's reputation with customers, shareholders, and employees. Notably, 77% of consumers are more likely to purchase from socially responsible companies. Additionally, 90% of employees at such companies feel more inspired, motivated, and loyal, leading to higher engagement. This engagement directly benefits overall performance and the bottom line.
The market of people with disabilities is large and expanding as the global population ages. In the UK, the disability market, known as the Purple Pound, sees £249 billion in annual spending. In the US, people with disabilities have a disposable income of $500 billion. Globally, including immediate families, this market comprises 2.3 billion people with $6.9 trillion in annual disposable income. These significant segments drive the push for accessibility, not just for social responsibility, but because it makes strong business sense.
As technology and the web become increasingly integrated into daily life, governments and regulators are enforcing laws to ensure equal participation for people with disabilities. In Europe, the European Accessibility Act mandates accessibility in various sectors like banking, technology, and transport. Similarly, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the US is actively enforced, leading to a rise in legal actions favoring equal access. Inaction is no longer viable. Large organizations must assess the risks associated with the accessibility of their products, services, and communications to comply with these regulations and mitigate potential legal issues.
If you are interested in learning more about how accessibility impacts key business performance indicators, you can download our exclusive “Business Case For Accessibility Report” here, where we take a deeper dive in all the crucial business performance areas that are strongly influenced by accessibility.
