Coming changes in accessibility be prepared

While of all the things to worry about, accessibility may be low on your list, there is a principle in business strategy as well as military strategy: aim small, miss small. Here is one thing to get right; now is not the time to double down on reducing accessibility and inclusive design efforts.

People are voting in the stock market and in business strategy on the likely outcomes of this coming election. While it isn't our goal to aggregate those for your here, Tesla's stock, for example, might prove some indication that at least one sector in the tech ecosystem is anticipating a particular outcome. It is our opinion that this is too soon in a highly tumultuous and chaotic election season with more than one curve ball so far and at least 2-3 more to come. Market signals have been known to be wrong in their election predictions, as they were in 2016. The same factor that made it unpredictable then has returned and it is a factor known for intentionally introducing unpredictability into political strategy.

For the past two to three years, in regulated industries, the budget for UX became largely a budget for compliance with Obama-era ADA requirements for websites. It became a hot button issue in 2020, when under the Trump administration, part of the deregulations on companies obligation to prioritize accessibility on websites and employee applications was turned into a grey area.

In 2021 the DOJ under Biden clarified that businesses still must follow these regulations for websites. In anticipation of a Trump presidency, some organizations might find it time to let loose accessibility focused staff. And that might seem a reasonable idea.

However: we would like to point out that these same industries define regression to the mean for the industry at large and that is precisely what companies that truly wish to be anti-fragile and innovative should avoid. If the law is the only thing compelling you to include accessibility in your software development life cycle, it you are already dulling a competitive edge in the market for yourself. The innovative orgs know that EXCEEDING what is regulated by law generates superior outcomes (see bookmarks below).

When you design for the margins you improve the product for all and therefore improve your overall chance of being differentiated. This is known as Postel's Law which states [paraphrased]:

Be economical in what you send and generous in what you are able to receive.

Which means, don't expect your users all to behave in the same way and build a system that accepts a wide range of behaviors. Designing for edge cases makes the overall system more robust. In fact, it has impacts on the general performance that are seemingly unrelated to the edge case you are addressing.

It's a good time to get ahead of this curve and let others bounce back and forth and waste energy in a strategy based on compliance (and strategic noncompliance) and move into a strategy based on excellence.

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Here is a citation list from Singular XQ's research initiative on technology and health and wellness to demonstrate the business outcomes of a strong accessibility practice, built for one of our clients:

Disability as a Source of Competitive Advantage

Many companies realize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion. But most focus on gender and ethnicity, paying less attention to people with disabilities. Employing people with disabilities is usually seen as a social cause—one best suited to nonprofits or the public sector. That is a mistake—and more important, a missed opportunity. In many industries innovative companies are demonstrating that including people with disabilities can lead to real competitive advantage, in four ways: (1) Disabilities often confer unique talents that make people better at particular jobs. (2) The presence of employees with disabilities elevates the culture of the entire organization, making it more collaborative and boosting productivity. (3) A reputation for inclusiveness enhances a firm’s value proposition with customers, who become more willing to build long-term relationships with the company. And (4) being recognized as socially responsible gives a firm an edge in the competition for capital and talent. There is nothing wrong with wanting to do good in the world, but there is also nothing wrong with wanting to do well, and the latter is enough reason to employ people with disabilities.

Harvard Business ReviewLuisa Alemany

WebAIM: The WebAIM Million - The 2024 report on the accessibility of the top 1,000,000 home pages

The 2024 report on the accessibility of the top 1,000,000 home pages

National Federation of the Blind (NFB), et al. v. Target Corporation - Disability Rights Advocates

As technology plays a central role in many facets of our lives from communication to purchasing goods, enrolling in classes and seeking employment, it is important now more than ever to bridge the digital divide between technology and people with disabilities. In 2006, DRA represented the National Federation of the Blind and three blind plaintiffs … Continue reading » “National Federation of the Blind (NFB), et al. v. Target Corporation”

Disability Rights Advocates

The employer-branding journey: Its relationship with cross-cultural branding, brand reputation, and brand repair | Emerald Insight

The employer-branding journey: Its relationship with cross-cultural branding, brand reputation, and brand repair - Author: Brooke Z. Graham, Wayne F. Cascio

Emerald InsightAuthors

The Cost Benefit of Truly Accessible Design - Small Business BC

Accessibility expert Donna Franz explains the cost/benefit of accessible design and why businesses should make a positive change.

Small Business BCAbout Donna Franz

How Accessibility Helps Social Media Engagement

To improve social media engagement, you’ll need to make sure your posts provide a great experience for people with disabilities. Here’s why.

AudioEyeNicole