October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to celebrate the many contributions of workers with disabilities. NDEAM is also an opportunity to highlight the importance of inclusive workplace policies, including those related to digital accessibility. Making sure that your digital spaces are accessible to all employees and customers, including those with disabilities, is not only the right thing to do, it’s a business imperative.
Making Digital Accessibility a Priority During NDEAM & Beyond
Digital accessibility refers to designing and developing digital content, tools, and platforms so that they are usable by everyone. This includes websites, software, online tools, and mobile applications. For people with disabilities, barriers to accessing digital platforms and resources can limit their full participation in the workplace and impact equal access to career opportunities, including training.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1.3 billion people, or about 16% of the world’s population, have some form of disability. People with disabilities often encounter barriers when accessing digital content that’s not designed with accessibility in mind, including:
- Websites that can’t be navigated with a screen reader
- Videos without captions or transcriptions
- Poor color contrast that makes it difficult to see content
- Complex forms that do not allow for keyboard navigation
Prioritizing digital accessibility allows businesses to unlock the full potential of every employee by removing these barriers. When companies commitment to digital accessibility, they are creating an environment where everyone has equal access to information and tools, driving innovation and inclusivity.
Digital Accessibility: Key to Inclusive Employment
For employers, digital accessibility is about more than compliance—it’s about creating an inclusive culture where all employees can succeed. Ensuring that digital platforms, tools, and content are accessible for everyone enables employees with disabilities to perform their best in the workplace.
For example, employees with vision disabilities can seamlessly navigate your company’s intranet, employees with hearing disabilities can fully engage in virtual meetings, and those with mobility challenges can easily use your company’s software. This is not just an ideal scenario, it’s achievable with intentional effort and commitment to accessibility standards.
For organizations looking to advance their accessibility efforts, it’s essential to understand and implement Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These guidelines offer a clear framework for making web content more accessible for everyone. Adhering to these standards ensures everyone, employees and customers alike, can engage with websites applications and digital tools and content.
Benefits of Embracing Digital Accessibility
- Increase Innovation: Accessible designs often lead to greater usability for all users, not just those with disabilities. Accessibility encourages teams to think more creatively and develop innovative solutions that benefit everyone.
- Expand Talent Pools: Inclusive hiring practices, paired with accessible digital tools, open your business to a wider talent pool. People with disabilities are an often underutilized source of talent, creativity, and diversity, and by ensuring your digital infrastructure is accessible, you attract more people with disabilities to apply for jobs with your company, therefore diversifying your workforce.
- Enhance Organizational Reputation: Companies that prioritize accessibility send a clear message that they value diversity and inclusion. This not only helps to attract top talent, but also builds trust with clients and customers who understand the importance of a diverse workforce.
- Ensure Compliance: Prioritizing digital accessibility helps government agencies and Federal contractors ensure they are in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act, as well as Department of Justice guidance on web accessibility and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Taking Action During NDEAM
NDEAM is the perfect time to assess your organization’s digital accessibility. Consider conducting an accessibility audit of your website and other digital tools to ensure they meet WCAG standards. It’s also important to train staff on accessibility best practices, especially team members involved in content creation, web development, and information technology (IT). Remember, while NDEAM is a great time to recommit to digital accessibility throughout your organization, ensuring everyone can access all of your digital platforms and content must be a priority all year round.
Creating a truly inclusive workplace starts with breaking down barriers—both physical and digital. By prioritizing digital accessibility, we not only honor the spirit of NDEAM, but also make lasting strides toward a more inclusive, equitable, and innovative future for all.
At Applied Development, we are proud to celebrate NDEAM and remain committed to fostering workplace inclusion all year long through our ongoing focus on digital accessibility.
Ready to learn more about how Applied Development can help your agency’s commitment to digital accessibility? Check out Section 508 compliance services webpage or contact us for a free comprehensive consultation.