Improving Daily Life for Millions: The Importance of Digital Accessibility

Introduction

In today’s world digital use is unavoidable – but what does this mean for people with health conditions and impairments?

Since COVID-19, people are interacting with twice as many organisations online, and there have been 125 million new people across Europe and the US using online services.

As digital is on the rise, it’s becoming non-negotiable to put accessibility at the forefront, which gives everybody the same access to technology. Building inclusive products ensures that everyone can participate, which enhances independence, communication, access to education and overall, improves people’s quality of life.

This is particularly important for organisations that want to lead by example in their sector, as it not only serves a broad and diverse audience - it demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and creating equitable opportunities for all.
Building on the work of our Accessibility Guide, this blog explores the integral ways that accessible digital tools and platforms are transforming daily life for millions of people.

Enhancing Independence

Think about common tasks most of us do.

Online shopping, managing finances and booking healthcare appointments. How can we make sure people with disabilities have access to digital services that make their lives easier?

Tools like screen leaders, voice assistants and adaptive keyboards allow people to interact with digital spaces in ways that work for them and in the US alone, over 120 million people use these regularly. For example, a visually impaired person using a screen reader can browse websites and make purchases online. Amazon has recently made strides in this area by updating their screen read technology and their app, which enables customers to participate in online shopping that others may take for granted. Similarly, voice assistants like Alexa or Siri allow people with limited mobility to control home devices, set reminders, and even search the web through voice commands.

In addition, in the offline world, there is a growing list of businesses who have adopted “sensory-friendly hours” for people who are neurodivergent which range from art museums, restaurants, cinemas, Walmart and more.

For your organisation, promoting accessible technology, or thinking about how you can adapt services for people with disabilities can help reduce barriers. For individuals who rely on your services, making it easier for them to access crucial resources benefits everyone.

Bridging the Gap

Communication is at the heart of human interaction.

Accessible communication tools play a vital role in ensuring that people with disabilities can stay connected with others.

Closed captions, for example, enable people with hearing impairments to participate fully in online meetings, webinars, and video content. Video relay services allow those who are deaf or hard of hearing to use sign language interpreters in real-time to facilitate phone calls. According to a study by PLY Media, 66% of videos without captions are watched until the end, compared to 91 % videos with captions. and Facebook statistics show that adding subtitles may increase view time by 12%.

Real-time text, which sends content as it's being typed, offers instantaneous communication, providing a more fluid experience for people with speech or hearing impairments.

The impact of these tools extends far beyond just social interaction - they enable better performance in work environments and foster deeper personal relationships.

By adopting these accessible communication methods, you can broaden outreach and engagement, ensuring that your services and products are inclusive to the people you work with.

Creating a Level Playing Field

Education is something that everyone deserves to have access to.

In line with this, many educational institutes have turned to e-learning platforms, to accommodate students with disabilities. In the 2020/21 academic year, 19% of all UK students reported as having a disability, so integrating digital accessibility ensures that students with disabilities are not left behind.

Students with hearing impairments can benefit from captions and transcripts, while those with visual impairments might rely on screen readers and accessible document formats that offer alternative descriptions of visual content. Keyboard-friendly navigation is essential for individuals with motor impairments who may find it difficult to use a mouse.

If your organisation sells or delivers education products and services, the people you’re supporting can use these tools to ensure that their learning materials, workshops and online courses can be accessed by everyone.

By creating this level playing field, you can reach a wider audience and make sure that no student is left behind.

Equitable Workplaces

It is highly likely that you, or somebody you work with has a disability.

For organisations to be inclusive to their teams, and support people to do their jobs effectively, digital accessibility must be considered.

Enabling captioning during meetings ensures that employees with hearing impairments can follow along with discussions. Accessible intranet platforms and assistive software, such as text-to-speech tools make internal communication more inclusive.

These technologies don’t just accommodate employees with disabilities—they make the workplace more inclusive, improving job satisfaction and ease of working for everyone.

For your organisation, integrating accessible digital tools like above sends the message that your organisation has strong values, and equally helps to attract and retain employees from diverse backgrounds.

Expanding Access Online

From enjoying Netflix or TikTok, to accessing government services or doing online shopping – most of us use online services in our daily lives.

Digital accessibility ensures that websites, apps and streaming services are available to everyone. Accessible design features, such as high-contrast modes, simplified interfaces, and customisable fonts make this happen. This can be particularly important for visually impaired people, as the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) reports that 25% of visually impaired people in the UK have reported difficulties in accessing websites and streaming services.

For example, high-contrast text and easy-to-read fonts can help individuals with low vision navigate websites more effectively, while simplified interfaces support users with cognitive disabilities. Streaming services that offer audio descriptions enable blind or visually impaired individuals to enjoy films and TV shows that those who don’t have impairments can sometimes take for granted.

If you rely on your website to communicate your brand purpose and act as the online “front door” for people, accessibility is key. Accommodating all users ensures these online platforms are easier to use for everyone, which widens the reach and increases engagement.