What is Digital Accessibility? Understanding Its Role in Business Growth

"Digital and web accessibility is not about putting restrictions on design or usability, quite the opposite, it’s about improving usability and increasing access for as wide a range of people and demographics as possible. In short, the more you consider accessibility, the better the usability." – Gary Hetherington, QA Manager, Accessibility Specialist at Appnovation

When we think of accessibility in digital design, the first thing that may come to mind is creating solutions for people with disabilities. While this is a crucial aspect, accessibility extends far beyond that. The reality is, we will all face challenges at some point that make interacting with digital solutions difficult—whether it's a visual impairment, limited dexterity, or using a mobile device in low-light settings. By making accessibility a core focus in your digital solutions, you enhance the user experience for everyone.

Why Accessibility Matters
Ensuring your digital platforms are accessible helps increase usability, which benefits every user. Improving accessibility can also have a major impact on SEO. Consider things like logical heading structures, clear page titles, and alt text for images—all of which not only improve navigation for users with disabilities but also make your site more search engine-friendly. This leads to better search engine rankings, higher visibility, and the potential for greater traffic to your site.
But the benefits don’t stop there. By addressing accessibility and usability, you are also expanding your audience. More people can access your services, improving engagement, increasing revenue potential, and strengthening your business’s overall reach.

The Shift-Left Approach to Accessibility
At Appnovation, we believe accessibility should be a priority from the start of any digital transformation project, and it should be continuously monitored throughout the process. We adopt a "shift-left" approach to accessibility, meaning that we start testing for accessibility as early as possible—often during the creative and design phases, before any technical implementation takes place. By integrating accessibility at the beginning, we ensure that it is woven into the fabric of the entire project, rather than being added as an afterthought.

Design Systems that Solve for Accessibility
To further enhance accessibility, leveraging design systems is key. A well-constructed design system incorporates accessibility principles into every component and pattern used across digital platforms. By aligning your design system with accessibility best practices, such as using high-contrast colors, clear typography, and intuitive navigation, you ensure a seamless user experience for all. These systems offer a scalable way to maintain consistency and ensure accessibility as you continue to develop new features or products.

At Appnovation, we understand that digital accessibility is a critical part of any modern digital solution. We are dedicated to helping our clients create digital experiences that are accessible, usable, and inclusive for everyone. Our team brings both technical expertise and a deep commitment to making the web a better place for all users, regardless of their abilities.

Want to learn more about how we can help you build accessible and user-friendly digital solutions? Download our white paper on accessibility today, and see how we can assist you in meeting both legal requirements and best practices for an inclusive digital presence.