Unlocking the Profit of Accessibility: Changing the Perspective from Compliance to Convenience 

Written by: Jason Fields, COO

In the vast expanse of digital innovation, accessibility is often relegated to a mere compliance requirement—a box to check in the development process of digital apps. Traditionally viewed as an obligatory nod to regulations, accessibility is seldom embraced as the critical asset it inherently is. Yet, there’s a profound transformation awaiting those who shift their perspective from compliance-driven to convenience-driven approaches in accessibility.

Understanding Accessibility as Convenience

Accessibility extends beyond the bare minimum of legal compliance; it is a pivotal element of user convenience. This means designing digital experiences that are not only inclusive but also inherently more user-friendly for a broader audience. Such a perspective shift recognizes accessibility as an integral component of the overall user experience, merging the functional with the seamless to create universally usable applications.

One doesn’t need to look far to see real-world examples, nor even the digital world. Sidewalks, for instance, are an excellent user interface to promote walking, encourage less vehicle traffic, and improve individual safety. The first sidewalk documented was around 2000 B.C. The ‘curb cut’ was introduced in 1973. While that’s a long time for usability innovation, we can all agree they offer utility beyond wheelchair accessibility. Do you ever need to carry something heavy from street to house? Use a dolly? Roll a piece of luggage?

Benefits of Prioritizing Accessibility

Enhanced User Experiences

By designing with accessibility in mind, developers can create more intuitive user interfaces that improve usability for everyone. Studies have shown that features such as voice recognition, clear visual contrasts, and simple navigation can benefit all users, not just those with disabilities (Microsoft Inclusive Design). This inclusive approach to design meets diverse needs and often results in a more streamlined and engaging user experience. Yet, these examples are considered standard fare; you wouldn’t characterize them as ‘innovative.’

Broadened Market Reach

Emphasizing accessibility expands a product’s reach to approximately 15% of the world’s population who experience some form of disability (World Health Organization). By catering to a broader audience, companies can tap into a market segment often overlooked by competitors, potentially increasing their user base and market share.

Take, for instance, the hyper-competitive graphic/visual design toolset market. Market value was $50.56 billion in 2023, with a CAGR of 5.4%. This market comprises hundreds of products with well-known brands like Adobe, Canva, Figma, Procreate, and Sketch, topping the category. With this much competition, UI is the name of the game. Companies spend thousands to millions of dollars on UI design, with a typical ROI of $2-$100 for every dollar invested.

With $13T in spending power, users with disabilities represent a sizeable portion of the growth potential.

Competitive Advantage

In today’s competitive landscape, companies that embrace accessibility can distinguish themselves. A commitment to inclusive design can enhance brand reputation, build customer loyalty, and attract positive attention from stakeholders who value corporate responsibility.

These reasons should be enough to create a shift from compliance to convenience, but alas, we live in the real world. While stakeholders feel good about initiatives like these, ultimately, they want a return on their investment.

So, consider this: adding alternative inputs like head motion and facial expression brings ease of use to people with agility and mobility issues. However, they also deliver alternatives to non-disabled users who want a more straightforward/simpler/different method of controlling the software. For instance, tiling your head up to change brush size in a graphic design program is a seamless way to adjust a setting while keeping your cursor steady in the design itself.

Innovation Catalyst

The challenges of creating accessible apps can spur innovation and creativity. The necessity to solve complex design problems can lead to novel technological solutions that benefit all users. For instance, the development of touchscreen technology was initially propelled by the need to assist people with disabilities and has now become a staple feature in billions of devices worldwide. But rarely does a single innovation solve a whole problem.

To date, digital applications are designed and built with the de facto device inputs in mind. These could be keyboard and mouse, tap, swipe, and pinch; most recently, voice has been added. However, these design teams have access to more inputs. Head motion, facial expression, eye tracking, and device movement could all be available as inputs. But they aren’t… Why?

It’s easy to understand why these kinds of controls aren’t commonplace today: at the root of the capability is the inherent need to build the application layer to understand them—beyond that, offering the user access to how the inputs map to the controls can be daunting. We know; we did it.

Practical Strategies for Implementing Accessibility as Convenience

I write these articles to shift or fortify your thinking. However, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t also mention that the answer is, in fact, Cephable. I could write three more sections around leveraging technology, training and education, and collaboration and feedback (in fact, I did and deleted them).

What I wrote, you already know.

Instead, I hope you are looking for an answer rather than guidance. Perhaps the question isn’t, ‘How can my company and product be more accessible?’ Maybe the question is,’ How can we increase revenue?’ or any related KPIs that fall under that massive question.

I get it. I ask the same question. As COO, I am constantly looking for efficiencies and accelerators for our business. In today’s world, that rarely means inventing our operating tools from scratch or building processes from the ground up. When I find a tool that can impact my business, I dig in deep, validate, and if it’s true, I use it.

I can tell you that while the capabilities Cephable brings to your digital product are part of how you create differentiation, a competitive moat, and ultimately higher LCV, they aren’t the truly unique part of our product. The uniqueness is that our customers can do good and profit simultaneously.

Conclusion

Viewing accessibility as a component of convenience rather than compliance does more than fulfill a regulatory requirement—it opens a gateway to innovation, broadens market reach, and enhances the user experience. By embracing accessibility as a strategic imperative, stakeholders in the digital app space can forge a path toward more inclusive, effective, and successful products. As we continue to advance in digital realms, let’s prioritize accessibility not just for compliance but for the convenience and benefit of all users. This isn’t just a shift in perspective—it’s a strategic transformation with far-reaching benefits.