Introduction To The Business Values
What Are The Business Costs Of Accessibility?
Understanding the cost of not being accessible, by Karl Groves
Digital communications are the most effective and cost saving method in communicating to a wide ranging customer base. Alternative information formats and delivery methods should only be considered when the mainstream communication channel fails to meet customer needs. Providing alternative accessibility information formats for blind customers tend to be expensive, time consuming, and unnecessary in today’s digital economy. Organizations that choose to focus on Accommodation Services, rather than a corporate wide inclusive strategy, will only continue to struggle with accessibility challenges.
It should not be the customer’s responsibility to shift the corporate culture of inclusion by constantly requesting special support services. Customers with disabilities should not be expected to bear the responsibility of inefficient corporate processes and substantial development costs due to inadequate knowledge skills. In a rapidly changing world, with multiple service offerings, requesting special support services simply become unmanageable.
It is the service provider’s responsibility to be familiar with customer expectations and market trends, through a leadership that understands product development and delivery standards and regulations.
Investment Q&A, Does accessibility have to be expensive?
The Business Case For Accessibility
Implementing accessibility functionality should be considered an investment, not a burden, as it improves the interactive experience for all users. Implementing accessibility functionality has been proven to be at minimal cost if integrated into the project life cycle, rather than a separate requirement which will dramatically increase development cost.
In a typical web development shop environment, the cost of integrating web accessibility features should be minimal, but depending upon ineffective development processes, tools, and knowledge skills, the cost could be substantial.
Design and Development Principles: Transparency, Inclusivity, and Accountability.
The W3C Business Case for Digital Accessibility
The benefits of accessibility
- Drive Innovation: Accessibility features in products and services often solve unanticipated problems.
- Enhance Your Brand: Diversity and inclusion efforts so important to business success are accelerated with a clear, well-integrated accessibility commitment.
- Extend Market Reach: The global market of people with disabilities is over 1 billion people with a spending power of more than $6 trillion. Accessibility often improves the online experience for all users.
- Minimize Legal Risk: Many countries have laws requiring digital accessibility, and the issue is of increased legal concern.