The Importance of Web Accessibility for People with Disabilities
Today, many of life’s essential activities—including education, work, and commerce—occur online. And organizations have both an ethical obligation and a business imperative to make their websites accessible to people with disabilities.
Digital accessibility ensures that everyone can engage with online content, regardless of disability. For businesses and educational institutions alike, embracing digital accessibility is essential for building inclusive communities and achieving long-term success.
Benchmarking Web Accessibility
Providing accessible digital experiences starts with meeting established laws, like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Achieving ADA compliance entails designing and developing websites, tools, and technologies that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, engage with, and navigate. For a roadmap to compliance, organizations can turn to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). This standard establishes a framework for online inclusion by outlining specific criteria an experience must meet to be accessible, including providing text alternatives for images, supporting keyboard navigation, and offering video captioning.
Why Digital Accessibility Matters for Business
-
Expanding Market Reach
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide—or 16% of the global population—have disabilities. And the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that one in four (about 70 million) U.S. adults have a disability. By prioritizing web accessibility, businesses can unlock this often-overlooked market segment, gaining a competitive edge. For example, retailers that provide inclusive e-commerce experiences can not only attract more potential customers but also improve sales by reducing purchasing barriers.
-
Improving Brand Reputation and Trust
Consumers increasingly align themselves with companies that are committed to social responsibility and inclusion. A business that takes active steps to make its website accessible sends a clear message that it values all customers equally, building goodwill, strengthening customer loyalty, and enhancing brand reputation.
-
Avoiding Legal Risks
Businesses have a legal obligation under Title III of the ADA to provide people with disabilities with equal access to their services. Over the past decade, lawsuits related to inaccessible websites have surged, with many companies paying hefty fines or being forced to redesign their websites on a tight timeline. Proactively committing to web accessibility is key to mitigating legal complications.
The Impact of Accessibility on Education
-
Creating Inclusive Learning Environments
For educational institutions, accessibility ensures that all students — including those with disabilities — have equal access to learning materials and opportunities. This is crucial for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within academic spaces. Universities that embrace web accessibility provide students with inclusive e-learning platforms, virtual libraries, and course content.
-
Improving Academic Outcomes
Research published in the Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability indicates that accessible online learning tools improve academic performance for students with disabilities. This may not be surprising, given that digital accessibility is critical for fostering an equitable academic experience. For example, platforms must be compatible with screen readers for some students with visual disabilities to access course materials, and captions may be essential for students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing to understand video content.
-
Meeting Legal and Compliance Standards
Public educational institutions must adhere to Title II of the ADA, which outlaws disability-based discrimination by state and local government organizations. To meet the Title II compliance requirements, public universities must ensure that their websites, learning management systems, and digital content meet accessibility standards and effectively support all students. Non-compliance can result in lawsuits, loss of funding, and reputational damage. Meanwhile, private colleges can be held accountable for digital accessibility barriers under Title III of the ADA.
The Broader Benefits of Digital Accessibility
Importantly, accessibility benefits individuals beyond those with disabilities. For example, well-structured websites with straightforward navigation enhance usability for everyone, including older adults who may not identify as disabled. Keyboard-friendly navigation helps individuals with temporary injuries or situational disabilities, like those using mobile devices with limited touch capabilities. And captions can make video content easier to understand for a broad audience.
Digital Accessibility by the Numbers
- The Return on Disability Report shows people with disabilities, along with their families and friends, control $13 trillion in disposable income globally, reflecting the immense purchasing power of this demographic.
- The average cost of making a website accessible is between $3,000 and $25,000, a relatively small investment compared to the potential losses from lawsuits or missed business opportunities.
- Law firm Seyfarth Shaw reports that over 14,000 web accessibility lawsuits were filed in federal court under the ADA from 2017 to 2023, underscoring the mounting legal pressure facing organizations.
Equal Opportunity to Succeed
By adopting digital accessibility, organizations can expand their reach, avoid legal pitfalls, and foster a more inclusive digital world. In the private sector, embracing web accessibility is a business best practice—and for universities, it ensures that all students, including those with disabilities, can succeed. Ultimately, the impact of accessibility goes beyond boosting sales or improving students’ experience—it transforms lives by removing barriers and creating opportunities for everyone.