- Web Accessibility: Website inaccessibility is the first and foremost barrier that needs to be tackled in a digitally inclusive world (e.g., color contrast issues, screen reader compatibility, etc). It refers to the ability for everyone to be able to access digital content, even if they are using digital assistive technologies.Website accessibility services ensure that websites are designed and optimized to be usable by all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
- Connectivity: This digital barrier refers to being able to connect to the web using the internet and connected devices. There could be a hindrance to internet connectivity as a result of no physical connectivity to the internet, having connectivity to sub-par internet, or exceptionally high cost of the internet.
- Digital Skills: Some people face the digital barrier of having limited to no skills or training for using the internet properly, leading to hindrances to digital inclusivity.
What is the Importance of Digital Inclusion for Organizations?
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Become More User-Friendly
It’s been a long time since we have bid adieu to the analog world. Businesses of all sizes have now turned digital by digitizing all of their operations and services. But with this big shift, comes a set of new challenges as well.
Technology is advancing so quickly that navigating the digital landscape can feel overwhelming for many. Here’s where organizations can make a real difference. By designing products and services that truly cater to individual needs, you can ensure everyone stays connected and empowered in our ever-evolving digital society because everyone has the right to digital access, regardless of their abilities.
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Reach a Larger Group of Individuals
Apart from it being a morally right thing to do, digital inclusivity also means that your business will reach a larger group of people. Being more inclusive means more people have access to your business offerings, expanding your reach and opening doors to people who might have previously been overlooked or excluded.
CDC reports that every 1 in 4 adults (roughly 28% population) in the USA live with a type of disability. This includes hearing problems, vision assistance, and even cognitive issues. That’s a massive audience facing digital barriers today. When you become digitally inclusive, you are making sure these excluded sections of people are taken into consideration, expanding your customer base.
Being digitally inclusive also means that you are taking into consideration not only people with disabilities but also those with limited to no digital skills. Organizations that embrace inclusion by tailoring their products or services to be accessible can tap into this underserved audience, reaching more people and building stronger connections. In doing so, they gain a competitive edge over businesses that fail to prioritize accessibility.
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Take Your SEO Ranking to the Next Level
The exact workings of search engine algorithms, like Google’s, are closely guarded secrets and cannot exactly be cracked, only guessed from time to time. However, there’s one thing we do know: improving accessibility on your site can boost your SEO ranking. Why?
This is because when your content is designed to be accessible to everyone, including people using screen readers, it’s also easier for web crawlers to understand. In the end, even Google is a robot so if your site isn’t screen-reader friendly, parts of your content might remain invisible to search engines. And if Google can’t fully read your site, it’s unlikely to reward you with a higher ranking.
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Prepare for the European Accessibility Act
From June 28, 2025, businesses will need to follow the European Accessibility Act where they will need to make their digital services and products meet specific accessibility standards. This initiative is all about creating an inclusive digital space where everyone can engage seamlessly.
For businesses, this shift brings advantages. But how so? With uniform standards across EU member states, international companies will face fewer compliance hurdles. Plus, the EU estimates that adopting a single standard could cut costs by as much as 45%. To stay ahead and steer clear of penalties for digital exclusion, it's wise to start preparing now.
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Leaves a Positive Impact
When you improve the accessibility of your products, the benefits often ripple out to a much wider audience—a phenomenon known as the "curb cut effect." The term comes from a real-world example: adding a small ramp, or curb cut, to a sidewalk makes it easier for wheelchair users to navigate. But its usefulness doesn’t stop there. Parents with strollers, kids on balance bikes, and even people with scooters all find it helpful.
Think about text messaging—it was originally designed to help the deaf and hard of hearing communicate more easily. Now, it’s a universal tool that everyone relies on daily. Subtitles and captions follow a similar story. While they’re vital for those who are deaf or hard of hearing, they’ve become indispensable for people watching videos in noisy places or learning new languages. Accessibility upgrades often end up making life better for everyone.
Making the Workplace More Inclusive for Blind and Low-Vision Individuals
- Accessible Application Process: Making your application process accessible communicates that your organization genuinely values inclusivity and provides equal opportunities for everyone. Moreover, if blind or low-vision candidates encounter barriers while trying to apply, it can leave them feeling excluded and disheartened, potentially driving them away from your company.
- Challenge Your Assumptions: Don’t let doubts about what individuals with visual impairment are capable of clouding your judgment. People with vision challenges often live far more independent and capable lives than we realize. A simple rule to keep in mind: someone with blindness or low vision wouldn’t pursue a job they didn’t believe they could handle. Instead of fixating on “how” they might do the job, respect and trust their self-awareness and determination.
- Adopt Inclusive Communication Channels: Choose tools that are accessible to everyone, including intraoffice messaging platforms. When giving presentations, make sure to verbally explain any charts, graphs, or visuals you use. Additionally, make it a habit to introduce yourself when entering or leaving a meeting room, and encourage your team to follow suit. These small steps can create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all.
- Offer Proactive Support: Take the initiative to support your visually challenged employees by asking about the adjustments they need to perform their best. If you’ve never had to request workplace accommodations yourself, these conversations might seem minor—but for individuals with visual impairment, they’re a regular part of life. That said, you can make a positive impression by showing care and asking first. Just be sure you’re familiar with what’s appropriate to ask under the ADA guidelines.
Digital Inclusivity for Individuals with Hearing Challenges
- Captions and Subtitles: Make sure to include subtitles as well as closed captions in your digital content along with alt text in any graphical content. Also, choose a font color and size that is readable to everyone.
- Visual Notifications: Having just audio notifications is not enough. Make sure you also include visual notifications and a mix of audio and haptics to make your notifications reach more audience.
- Chatbots: When adding the “Contact Us” button on your website, remember to include a chat section as well for people with hearing challenges.
- Transcripts: Processing captions can also be troublesome for some people. Hence, as a business owner who wants to make digital inclusion happen you should include transcripts to allow everyone to process spoken content as well as the content played in the background like background music, laughter, and other noises.
- Plain Language: Simple language is the way to go when it comes to accessible content. The readability of your digital content decreases when you use longer sentences with words that are difficult to comprehend. Make sure to also use plain language that can be read by anyone with basic reading skills.
- Navigation: Lastly, whenever you use captions, navigation, transcripts, and other stuff, make sure to place it consistently on every page for easy navigation.
How to Increase Digital Inclusion with Web Accessibility?
- Empower your team with knowledge: Encourage your web, design, and content teams to participate in accessibility-focused training to understand and apply best practices.
- Test with real users: Go beyond automated tools by involving people with disabilities in manual testing to uncover usability gaps that machines might miss.
- Follow established standards: Align your website with widely recognized accessibility guidelines, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and WAI-ARIA, to ensure compliance and inclusivity.
- Commit to ongoing improvements: Accessibility isn’t a one-time fix. Regularly run automated scans and audits to catch new technical or content-related issues, especially as your website evolves.
How Does Continual Engine Help with Digital Inclusion?
Take your digital inclusion to the next level with Continual Engine’s advanced AI-powered solutions. Our state-of-the-art deep learning and computer vision technologies are designed to help your organization create an online experience that’s accessible to everyone, meeting the highest standards of inclusivity.
Partner with us to make digital accessibility seamless for your organization!
