When organizations (people) meet accessibility for the first time there are often doubts about why it really matters. Some guess that they need to charge more for additional time they will need to implement accessibility and how to persuade customers, some argue that nobody will want to buy digital products that are oversimplified because of accessibility and some see accessibility as a burden that will prevent them to use latest technologies.
I try to present the business advantages (rational) and the positive effects on the society (rational and emotional) as best as I can. I also try to explain that it doesn’t cost more to make things accessible if we plan for accessibility and if we have the knowledge of accessibility and if we cooperate (planning, design, code, content, procurement and all other parts).
There are unfortunately not a lot of very prominent examples of advanced and modern websites that I can also vouch for in terms of accessibility. That’s unfortunate on many levels, but it really isn’t so simple as even the best sites can become less accessible with time and most accessible websites are often simplified to really cover most people possible, including people with cognitive disabilities (so it’s planned to be simple for all users).
If nothing else motivates organizations for accessibility – here is a harsh fact
Last time I had a lecture about accessibility I really tried to explain multiple aspects but I felt that I was not convincing enough when I got questions like that, so I decided to think a bit more on the subject – and I think I found a realistic perspective that may help others on same journey. I hope.
Embracing accessibility, both internally and when delivering digital products to customers is basically evolution. It is the survival of the fittest – make it accessible or risk falling behind as a business.
If people don’t understand the good for business and good for people arguments for accessibility – then they will maybe understand the harsh rule of evolution.
Basically we can see that the gaps of inaccessibility are slowly closing. If not by awareness – we can see the legislation spreading from public sector to parts of private sector.
If you organization want to sell to public sector it better embrace accessibility. If your organization want to sell to parts of private sector in European Union – it better embrace accessibility. Or else – others will take your place. And you will sooner or later become less and less relevant.
Personally I really appreciate the carrot more than the stick. But sometimes we need to point out the stick as well. If nothing else works.
Don’t care about accessibility? Resistance is futile!
Yes – at the beginning accessibility will cost you more, but consider long term effects
Let’s make this clear. It takes time to learn (any) skill. It is the same with accessibility. It takes time to optimize processes, methodology, to create internal and external network of specialists and test users. Yes – it means it will cost more to deliver accessibility.
At the beginning, before accessibility is integrated and becomes a normal. You will need to dedicate time for accessibility trainings. You will need to do some accessibility audits. And you will need to make the organizational changes. And this will cost you more than if you ignore accessibility. But treat it as an investment. The sooner you start, the better you will become. And you will get more references and make more people happy. And more bots as well. And happy users, happy customers and happy bots bring more business… I hope you get the point…
Some countries sponsor, at least partially, organizations to build their competences. It can mean that you need to invest 50% and you get 50% from government, please do your research. I also wish that countries would dedicate resources for accessibility trainings before expanding the legislation, especially when we know that educational system is often still behind and doesn’t teach (enough) accessibility.
