Keith Delk, Chief of Innovation and Accessible Technology
Making your business accessible to people with disabilities is like building a bridge. You can’t ignore the fact that some people have different needs than others, just like a bridge can’t ignore the fact that some areas require different levels of support than others. If you don’t build the bridge with accessibility in mind, you risk leaving people behind and isolating them from the opportunities and experiences that everyone else has access to.
Accessibility laws, such as the ADA, Section 508, and WCAG, are like the blueprints for building an accessible bridge. They provide the guidelines and standards for ensuring that people with disabilities can safely and comfortably cross over to the other side. But just like with any bridge, there will always be those who resist following the guidelines and cut corners to save time and money. This can lead to catastrophic failures and tragedies, just like when businesses fail to provide reasonable accommodation or make their websites compliant to all.
The data is clear: people with disabilities make up a significant portion of the population and have considerable buying power. For example, Bobbi Cordano, president of Gallaudet University and one of USA TODAY’s women of the year, talks about inclusive excellence and the sign language economy (How Sign Language is Driving a Multi-Billion Dollar Inclusive Economy).
It is evident that modern assistive technology and accessibility policy breaks down barriers to create opportunities for historically disadvantaged groups. By utilizing the strengths of diverse communities, such as their human capital, entrepreneurialism, commerce, and innovation, marginalized groups can unleash their market potential and share their unique skills and perspectives with the world.
By ignoring the needs and rights of people with disabilities, businesses are not only missing out on potential revenue, but also risking legal action and damage to their reputation. Moreover, the benefits of accessibility go beyond compliance and profit. It’s about creating a society that values diversity and inclusion and recognizes that everyone deserves equal access to opportunities and experiences.
However, some may argue that accessibility laws and regulations are too burdensome and costly for businesses, especially small ones. They may argue that compliance is too complicated and subjective, and that there are too many loopholes and gray areas that can be exploited by opportunistic plaintiffs and lawyers. They may also argue that accessibility is a personal
responsibility, and that businesses shouldn’t be forced to accommodate every possible disability and preference.
It’s not about following rules for the sake of compliance,
but about creating value and innovation for everyone.
But such arguments are shortsighted and misguided. Accessibility is not a luxury or a favor, but a basic human right. It’s not about pleasing a small minority, but about serving a diverse and dynamic market. It’s not about following rules for the sake of compliance, but about creating value and innovation for everyone. And it’s not about blaming or shaming businesses, but about empowering and educating them to be more inclusive and competitive.
So, the choice is yours. Will you build a bridge that connects and uplifts everyone, or will you build a wall that divides and limits us? The answer is clear: accessibility is not a barrier, but a gateway to a brighter future.
