The Business Case for Accessibility: Benefits and Return on Investment

Preparing a business case for accessibility will help the accessibility testing team, co-workers, clients and management team to effectively tackle and solve issues and objections pertaining to accessibility. Various crucial aspects such as competitive advantage, communication channels, revenue projection, brand reputation, disabled-friendliness, user experience etc., are involved in the business case for accessibility. This will in turn help in providing a strategic roadmap that can help a business thrive through the tactical implementation of accessibility. In this article, you will get to know the strategic relevance of the business case for accessibility along with its benefits.

The tactical meaning of using a business case for Accessibility:

A business case is a specific strategic tool that can be used by organizations to plan out various initiatives. Whether an organization is governmental, non-profit, educational or commercial, a sort of justification is required so that resources such as efforts or money can be dedicated to supporting a specific organizational goal.

When it comes to accessibility, a compelling business case can be created that highlights the relevant aspects of accessibility. Businesses have both tangible and intangible benefits through which resources can be dedicated to web and digital accessibility. The platform of accessibility testing can also prove to be of strategic use, depending upon the project requirements.

To streamline and scale up accessibility activities, organizations can also look forward to using the resources of a specialized accessibility testing company optimally.

The following are the benefits of accessibility from a business perspective:

1. The significance of brand reputation: Brands need to be enhanced and protected by their respective businesses. When a business is keen to embrace accessibility, then it also means that they support Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Based on the various needs of the stakeholders, businesses will take the necessary action and thus work for inclusive employment and marketing practices.

CSR programs include improved brand image and reputation, enhanced workforce diversity and increased customer loyalty. A diverse workforce can be created by employing disabled people.

2. Scaling up the reach of markets: There is decent growth in the market for disabled people. According to research, countries such as US and UK have witnessed that disabled people of the US and UK spend over a billion dollars approximately. Another important research carried out by a reputed firm states that accessibility can eventually lead to cost savings, especially when it is integrated into ongoing and existing development cycles.

3. The innovation factor: Digital, architectural and social barriers are removed through the strategic integration of accessibility, which, in turn, paves the way for innovation. Content can be easily rendered across a broad range of assistive technologies, platforms, devices and operating systems through the flexibility of accessible design platforms.

Accessibility testing can also prove to be an innovative tactic that can be used. Further, the  strategic support of a professional accessibility testing company can also be taken into consideration.

Considering the Return On Investment (ROI):

Following are the key points through which ROI can be evaluated:

·       Legal expenses are mitigated

·       Conversion rates are improved

·       Improved customer loyalty

·       Enhanced perception of the brand.

Training investments, marketing and initial audits should be taken into consideration before accessibility is integrated into apps and websites.

If proper investment is done in functionality and web accessibility compliance, then operational efficiency is enhanced, as e-commerce carries lower transactional expenses and acquisition costs. This in turn results in reduced liabilities and higher profit margins.      

Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing accessibility testing for your specific project, then do get connected with a world-class software testing services company that will provide you with a comprehensive testing strategy that is in line with your project specific requirements.