The Cost of Neglecting Accessibility Testing
Accessibility testing consists of evaluating a website or application to ensure that it is usable by people with disabilities. The goal is to make technology accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. Accessibility is a moral obligation and a legal requirement in many countries. Failing to make technology accessible can result in significant financial losses for organizations.
Accessibility User Statistics
- Visual impairments: Approximately 253 million people worldwide have a visual impairment, with 39 million blind and 214 million having low vision.
- Hearing impairments: Approximately 466 million people worldwide have a hearing impairment, with 34 million being deaf and 432 million having moderate to severe hearing loss.
- Motor impairments: Approximately 17.7 million people in the United States have a motor impairment, such as Parkinson's disease or cerebral palsy.
- Cognitive impairments: Approximately 50 million people worldwide have a cognitive impairment, such as dyslexia or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
The Cost of Neglecting Accessibility
- Legal penalties: Failing to make technology accessible can result in significant legal penalties. In the United States, organizations can face lawsuits and be required to pay damages if they are found to violate accessibility laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Lost customers: By failing to make technology accessible, organizations risk alienating a large portion of the population and losing potential customers. A recent study found that people with disabilities are more likely to do business with companies with accessible technology.
- Reputational damage: Failing to make technology accessible can also damage an organization's reputation. Companies that neglect accessibility risk are perceived as insensitive and uncaring, which can harm their brand.
- Increased costs: Making technology accessible after it has been developed can be more expensive and time-consuming than incorporating accessibility into the development process from the beginning. By neglecting accessibility, organizations risk incurring additional costs and delays in the future.
Conclusion
To sum up, accessibility testing is a critical step in the development process that can help organizations avoid financial losses and ensure technology is usable by everyone. By making technology accessible, organizations can comply with legal requirements, improve user experience, expand their audience, and protect their brand.
So, are we willing to forget profits and make potential losses?
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