Digital accessibility: why it matters and how to apply it

Digital accessibility is the practice of designing and developing digital products (websites, apps, content) in a way that allows them to be used by the largest possible number of people, including individuals with visual, auditory, motor, cognitive, and other disabilities. In practice, it means removing barriers that prevent some people from accessing and using what is online. An accessible product works for people with different abilities, contexts, and ways of interacting.

Accessibility matters for several reasons. First, for inclusion: a significant portion of people have some form of disability, and excluding them is unfair and unnecessary. Second, for reach: an accessible website reaches more people, which also makes business sense. Third, it is often a legal requirement, with regulations demanding accessibility. And fourth, because accessibility improves the experience for everyone. Ignoring it means excluding people and losing opportunities, without a good reason to do so.

An important and often overlooked point: accessibility improves the experience for everyone, not just people with disabilities. Captions help those who watch without sound; good contrast helps those in bright sunlight; clear texts help everyone understand; simple navigation benefits anyone. Many accessibility improvements are, in essence, usability improvements that everyone benefits from. Therefore, accessibility is not a cost to serve a few; it is an investment that enhances the experience for all.

Accessibility is based on principles that guide practice: content must be perceivable (e.g., having text alternatives for images and captions for videos), operable (navigable in different ways, including without a mouse), understandable (clear language and predictable behavior), and robust (working well across different technologies and devices, including screen readers). These principles help to approach accessibility comprehensively, covering the various ways people interact with digital content.

Applying accessibility doesn't have to be a giant project all at once. It's possible to start with high-impact measures: ensuring good color contrast, adding alternative texts to images, captioning videos, using a clear content structure, allowing keyboard navigation, and writing simply and clearly. From there, accessibility evolves as a continuous practice, incorporated into the creation process. The important thing is to start and treat accessibility as a natural part of doing things well, not as an optional extra.

The best way to approach accessibility is as part of what it means to do good digital work, not as a separate task or an annoying requirement. Just as a website needs to be fast, clear, and beautiful, it also needs to be accessible. When accessibility is incorporated from the outset, it ceases to be an extra effort and simply becomes part of building quality experiences. A truly well-made product is one that works for the largest possible number of people.