When you hear the term “accessible design,” what comes to mind? And more importantly, who comes to mind? It’s easy to assume it only applies to others—perhaps individuals with disabilities—but consider this: have you ever found yourself relying on an accessibility feature? Maybe a sprained wrist made voice-to-text indispensable, or maybe you’ve used screen magnification to read small text. If so, you’ve already experienced the value of accessible design firsthand.
For many, the importance of accessibility only becomes apparent when it’s missing. I had my own awakening while collaborating with HVIP—a program by the California Air Resources Board—on a website designed to meet AAA Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards. This project demonstrated something profound: accessible design doesn’t just serve users with specific needs—it creates a better experience for everyone.
Accessible Design Elevates
When thinking about accessibility, it’s natural to focus on extreme use cases. However, accessible design improves websites in ways that benefit all users. Incorporating these principles encourages developers to create websites that are more polished, cohesive, and user-friendly.
Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer put it succinctly during a 2001 interview with Bloomberg Business: “Accessible design is good design—it benefits people who don’t have disabilities as well as people who do. Accessibility is all about removing barriers and providing the benefits of technology for everyone.”
This sentiment highlights why accessibility deserves your attention—not only for its ethical implications but also for its capacity to drive positive outcomes for your business.
Everyday Usability and the “Curb-Cut Effect”
Accessibility advocates often refer to the “curb-cut effect.” Named after sidewalk ramps initially created for wheelchair users, this phenomenon illustrates how solutions designed for one group end up benefiting many others. Today, curb cuts are useful to parents with strollers, delivery workers, and travelers with luggage, often without a second thought.
This principle also applies to digital design. Unfortunately, the vast majority of websites fall short. A staggering 98% of websites fail to comply with WCAG standards, leaving countless users underserved.
Accessible features like consistent navigation and intuitive layouts improve usability for everyone. For instance, ensuring that search tools and navigation bars remain in predictable locations benefits users with cognitive challenges while making sites easier to navigate for all visitors. Similarly, using descriptive link text instead of vague phrases like “click here” not only aids screen reader users but also gives every user more clarity.
Why Accessible Design Matters for Your Business
If you’re still wondering how accessibility directly benefits your business, consider these statistics:
- People with disabilities control $1.2 trillion in annual disposable income worldwide.
- Nearly 40% of employees report that their products’ levels of accessibility were major reasons for consumers’ purchases.
- In the U.S., 27% of adults have a disability, and 70% of disabled online shoppers abandon difficult-to-navigate websites.
Globally, an estimated 16% of people live with a disability, and in the United States, that figure rises to nearly 27% of adults. Alarmingly, 70% of disabled online shoppers report abandoning websites that are difficult to navigate.
This highlights a significant opportunity for businesses: meeting the needs of people with disabilities by addressing the gap between user expectations and current web accessibility standards. Since accessible design remains relatively uncommon, businesses that invest in it gain a substantial competitive edge. Studies show that companies prioritizing inclusivity significantly outperform their competitors in revenue growth, net income, and profitability. Moreover, adopting accessibility principles can increase your site’s usability for a broader audience, reaching more than four times your intended users.
There are also legal, ethical, and brand-related incentives for accessibility. Most websites fail to comply with WCAG standards, leaving companies vulnerable to lawsuits—a risk that’s both costly and avoidable. On the other hand, brands that prioritize accessibility are often viewed as innovative, inclusive, and socially responsible. By choosing to make your website accessible, you not only mitigate risks but also expand your audience and create a more positive perception of your brand.
Make Inclusivity an Inspiration
While some organizations approach accessibility out of legal obligation, there’s a greater opportunity to embrace it as a meaningful commitment. Designing for accessibility isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a forward-thinking strategy that benefits everyone.
By prioritizing inclusivity, you demonstrate empathy and create opportunities for all users to engage with your brand. That choice not only sets your business apart but also fosters long-term loyalty and trust. Accessible design is, at its core, good design—and it’s time we all recognize its value.