Imagine you’re at a party where everyone speaks a different language, and you only understand one. Frustrating, isn’t it? This is how over 1 billion people with disabilities feel when they encounter non-accessible digital products.
With a market influence similar to the entire continent of Europe, this demographic holds a disposable income of about $490 billion in the U.S. alone. Research found that 71% of differently- disabled customers would rather leave a website than deal with barriers.
This is not just a missed invitation to the party; it’s a serious business faux pas. Let’s explore how making your digital environment welcoming to larger audiences can not only prevent social blunders but also significantly enhance your product’s market success.
A cautionary tale illustrating the impact of non-compliance
Target, a major retailer in US faced a lawsuit due to its website’s inaccessibility for visually impaired users. Despite having good intentions, the company was unaware of its compliance failures, resulting in legal battles, financial penalties, and significant reputational damage.
The lawsuit, initiated by the National Federation of the Blind in 2006, highlighted the importance of digital accessibility. Target ultimately settled the case in 2008, agreeing to make its website fully accessible and paying $6 million in damages.
A motivational story of Tesco’s accessibility journey
Tesco serves as a prime example of leveraging compliance for business success. By proactively addressing accessibility, Tesco avoided legal pitfalls and enhanced its brand reputation and customer loyalty.
In 2001, Tesco launched its accessible website, becoming one of the first major retailers to prioritize digital inclusivity. This forward-thinking approach paid off; Tesco saw increased engagement from a broader customer base, including older adults and people with disabilities.
Tesco – the UK grocery retail giant held the largest market share at 27.4% in 2023. Tesco’s story demonstrates how compliance can be a strategic asset rather than a mere obligation, leading to improved customer satisfaction and a competitive advantage in the market.
Benefits of accessibility-driven product development are multi-dimensional, and requires critical foresight:
Ensuring your product meets accessibility standards is crucial for market adoption, particularly within large enterprises.
Digital accessibility is key for a broader customer base, particularly within large enterprises. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 1 in 4 adults in the United States, or about 61 million people, are differently-abled.
By adhering to accessibility standards, you can make your product more appealing and usable for a significant portion of the market, facilitating smoother and quicker market adoption.
For SaaS companies, compliance with accessibility standards is not just a legal obligation but a crucial market demand.
A study found that 70% of websites in the United States are not accessible to people with disabilities, which presents a significant barrier to market entry and growth. Large enterprises frequently mandate accessibility compliance as part of their procurement processes, making it imperative for SaaS products to meet these standards to secure and retain business.
There were 2,258 lawsuits regarding digital accessibility in 2018, marking a 177% increase from the previous year. Ensuring accessibility compliance helps mitigate legal risks associated with non-compliance, protecting your business from potential lawsuits and regulatory penalties.
Compliance not only safeguards against these risks but also fosters a culture of accessibility and compliance within your organization.
Prioritizing accessibility compliance showcases your business’s commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility. This dedication enhances your brand reputation and attracts a broader audience.
According to a survey by Nielsen, 66% of consumers are willing to pay more for products and services from companies committed to positive social and environmental impact. By demonstrating a commitment to accessibility, your brand becomes synonymous with equality and progressive values, appealing to socially conscious consumers.
Investing in accessibility compliance from the outset reduces the need for costly retrofits and ongoing maintenance.
Retrofitting a product for accessibility can cost up to 30 times more than incorporating accessibility from the beginning. This proactive approach results in significant long-term cost savings and promotes a sustainable method of digital product development.
Accessible digital products cater to individuals with a wide range of abilities, expanding your market reach and tapping into previously underserved customer segments.
95.9% of the top million websites globally have detectable WCAG 2 failures, indicating a persistent challenge in digital accessibility. By ensuring accessibility, you position your product as inclusive and user-friendly for all, thereby enhancing its appeal and increasing the universe of your product’s end users.
By embedding accessibility into your product development strategy, you future-proof your business against evolving regulations and market demands.
The European Accessibility Act, set to come into effect in 2025, will require many digital products and services to be accessible. This forward-thinking approach not only secures compliance but also positions your company as a leader in innovation and inclusivity, ready to adapt to future changes and challenges.
Get a free accessibility consultation for your product
At Aubergine, we pride ourselves on our specialized approach to accessibility compliance, pivotal for fostering inclusive digital environments and enhancing business scalability. Since our inception we have consciously focused on delivering digital excellence that meets accessibility standards by default. Below is a detailed exposition of the critical elements of our accessibility audit process and service:
Achieving compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is fundamental for creating universally accessible products. Our audits rigorously evaluate your product against the A, AA, and AAA standards of WCAG 2.2.
We conduct an in-depth analysis to identify compliance gaps across various components, such as text alternatives, time-based media, adaptable content, and navigable interfaces. Our actionable recommendations guide your development and design teams in addressing these gaps, ensuring your product remains compliant and user-friendly.
Our proprietary accessibility framework is designed to provide a holistic evaluation of your product across three critical categories: visual elements, content, and user experience (UX).
Our dual-faceted evaluation strategy covers both technological specifications and design parameters to ensure a complete accessibility assessment.
Our Accessibility Audit Reports are meticulously crafted to provide a comprehensive overview of your product’s accessibility status.
Following our comprehensive audits, we deliver a tailored compliance and opportunity roadmap that serves as your strategic guide for systematically enhancing accessibility.
Our meticulous accessibility audit and reporting process includes end-to-end coverage with tailored assets being provided for enabling digital accessibility via a strategic process.
These tools empower your team with the knowledge to make informed decisions that enhance your product’s accessibility, user satisfaction, and market reach.
Partnering with Aubergine ensures your digital products are compliant with the highest accessibility standards, positioned for future demands, and capable of providing exceptional user experiences.
Our thorough, data-driven approach guarantees that your offerings are accessible to all users, enhancing user satisfaction, expanding market reach, and solidifying your brand’s reputation in a competitive digital landscape.
Learn more about how our accessibility audit services can benefit your business.
