All websites and PDFs are accessible by default, right?

Wrong. And this assumption could be costly.

Do you know for sure that your website and PDFs are accessible? 

If you don't know for sure that your website and PDFs are accessible then they probably aren’t… And if they aren’t then not only are you missing out on lucrative potential customers and clients but also you could be fined and your reputation damaged.

Accessibility by default isn’t a given, and poor design choices can inadvertently exclude people with disabilities from accessing your electronic assets, just as the lack of a ramp and lift prevents disabled users from accessing your physical premises and spaces.

This is particularly true for people with a visual impairment.

Some stats from the RNIB:

Within West Yorkshire, Leeds has an estimated 1 in 30 residents with a visual impairment (but not all are registered) - approximately 25,000.

Lancashire, by way of comparison, has 44,000 people living with sight loss in the Lancashire region according to RNIB Sight Loss Data Tool estimates (Source: Lancashire County Council).

And, by 2032 it's expected that there will be 53,200 people in Lancashire living with sight loss - up more than 20% from 2022.

Why does this matter?

It matters because all these potential customers, clients and service users can’t access the products and services they want and need online, simply because they can’t see your website and PDFs. It really is as basic as that.

Fundamentally, because people can’t read your website and PDFs properly they can’t and won’t buy your products or use your services, and they will go elsewhere, rely on someone else to help them, or simply give up altogether.

According to the Purple Pound Report, in the UK alone, 4 million people abandoned retail websites due to accessibility barriers, costing businesses £17 billion, in 2019 alone.

The cost of accessibility for businesses and organisations can be understood in two ways - not only the actual cost of implementing accessibility features, but also the cost of not being accessible. 

Inaccessible products and services can negatively impact a company's reputation and brand image, potentially leading to decreased customer loyalty and difficulty attracting new customers.

It doesn’t have to be that way though.

You can make your website and PDFs accessible to visually impaired users.

It's true that there are upfront costs associated with making products, services, and digital spaces accessible. But, that initial outlay and those costs are often outweighed by the long-term benefits and cost savings of avoiding Accessibility issues - including increased revenue, improved brand reputation, and reduced risk of legal issues and the cost of associated legal fees, fines and reputational damage.

The cost of reputational damage alone can be high. Reputational damage depletes and decreases your financial and social capital, and often results in lost revenue, decreased customer loyalty, and a drop in shareholder value. Conversely, enhanced and optimal Accessibility helps create a positive brand image and reputation, which is good for business. It also enhances SEO results. 

And, as an added bonus, accessible solutions work better for everyone. They are easier to navigate, more intuitive, and simpler. They benefit everyone, regardless of any visual impairment or accessibility issues.

That’s “the carrot” for why you should make your electronic assets accessible, but there is also “the stick” - legislation and compliance (and fines and the afore mentioned reputational damage for being in breach and non-compliant). 

Businesses that fail to comply with accessibility laws and regulations (such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the US or the Equality Act in the UK) may face significant fines and legal fees. That impacts your brand – your brand integrity takes a hit, as does brand loyalty - leading to potential further loss of revenue.

The public sector is also scrutinised closely and held accountable for any accessibility failings or shortcomings.

If any public sector body fails to publish and publicise its mandatory accessibility statement (or the accessibility statement is incorrect), the name of the offending public sector body will be made public by the Central Digital and Data Office along with a copy of the Office’s decision - essentially “naming and shaming” them.

The Government Digital Service (GDS) closely monitors all public sector body compliance by examining a random sample of public sector websites and mobile apps every year. The GDS has the power to ask for information about and request access to intranets, extranets, apps and any public sector website.

Individual users can also raise an accessibility issue directly with the public sector organisation, and are encouraged to do so.
(Source: Taylor Wessing - What is the UK’s Approach to Accessibility)

All of which ensures that accessibility is a key consideration for the public sector.

Also, it’s important to mention that if your business exports to the EU or has operations in Europe it is covered by The European Accessibility Act (EAA), and that the EAA applies to both private and public sector organisations.

Digital service providers are covered too - they’re responsible for accessibility even if services are provided by subcontractors. So, it’s crucial that any digital agencies or subcontractors you work with understand and comply with the EAA requirements. 

Staff training is also essential to make them fully aware of, understand and effectively communicate and support accessibility features for your digital assets.

But, as Microsoft’s Chief Accessibility Officer, Jenny Lay-Flurrie says, “Don’t let being compliant become the main goal. Finding ways to provide an enjoyable and inclusive experience to people with disabilities will naturally raise the bar beyond any minimum compliance requirements and result in you being talked about for all the right reasons.”

You might say that “nobody has ever complained, so we thought we were accessible and it wasn’t an issue”. But, just because nobody tells you you’ve got an accessibility problem doesn’t mean that you haven’t… 

The reality is that, in most cases, people simply don’t complain or make you aware of it - they just go elsewhere or give up in frustration and exasperation. 

The Click-Away Pound Report states that “the percentage of people who will simply click-away when confronted with a problematic website is 69 per cent.”

Microsoft’s Chief Accessibility Officer, Jenny Lay-Flurrie says, “If you don’t know it’s accessible, it’s probably not.” In other words, don’t leave it to chance. Having a way to measure how accessible you are will not only demonstrate that you care but ensures a consistent approach.

Bnode provides Accessibility Audits and delivers Accessibility Training.

In the first instance, we’ll audit and assess your existing website and make recommendations for improvement. Bnode are your ideal partner for accessible web design and development should a completely new and fully accessible website be required. We’re specialists in inclusive web design and build in West Yorkshire.

We’ll also work with you to make your PDF documentation more accessible. Get an Accessibility Audit and Review for your PDFs. Professional PDF Accessibility by Bnode, including Section 508 and ADA Compliance.

Bnode's MD, Chris Naylor, will also train you and your employees, members of staff, stakeholders or volunteers on aspects of Accessibility and Inclusivity, so they’re fully aware of the simple steps they can take to make your electronic assets more accessible.

Get in touch with us to find out more.