Advancing social development is impossible without the full inclusion, participation and leadership of persons with disabilities. In this blog, we share why digital accessibility can help to lead the way in social progression.
Each year on 03 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) celebrates the contributions that disabled people make around the world. It is also a key time to confront the barriers that still remain, which limit people’s full participation in society.
This year’s theme of ‘Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress’ is a call to action for businesses and individuals to commit to collectively building a just, inclusive and equitable world. One of the most powerful tools we have for accelerating this progress, is through digital accessibility.
The crucial need for digital inclusion
In today’s world, the need for digital spaces to be inclusive is not an option. Where we work, learn, manage finances, access healthcare and services, and connect socially, all rely on online environments. When these spaces aren’t accessibly-built, people with disabilities are effectively shut out from fundamental aspects of modern living.
Digital accessibility ensures that websites, applications, documents, devices, and online services can be used by everyone. It is not simply a technical standard, it is a human rights issue and is the foundation of true social inclusion.
Why digital accessibility matters now more than ever:
- Technology shapes opportunity. From remote working to educational tools, digital systems have become the primary gatekeepers of opportunity. Accessible technology opens doors.
- The disability community is the world’s largest emerging market. More than 1.3 billion people have some form of disability. Inclusive design is both the right thing to do and the smart thing to do, enabling businesses to tap into the vast benefits of the Purple Pound.
- Accessibility benefits everyone. Features like captions, speech-to-text, and responsive layouts, improve the user experience for all. Accessibility provides a pathway to creating better digital products.
- Digital barriers create social barriers. When digital services exclude individuals, they reinforce ableism and widen inequality. Accessibility helps to create a culture where everyone has equal access to information, community, and opportunity.
Building a digitally-inclusive society
To build a society that welcomes and empowers all people, digital accessibility needs to be embedded at every stage of the design, development, and implementation process.
Key practices for fostering digital inclusion includes:
- Actively working together with disabled people to gain their invaluable feedback.
- Adopting global standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
- Testing that digital platforms work fluently with assistive technologies.
- Providing alternative formats, such as captions, alt text, transcripts, and accessible documents.
- Using inclusive language and visuals to challenge stereotypes and amplify authentic representation.
- Training teams and leaders to raise awareness and build a deeper understanding about accessibility as a core competency, not an afterthought.
Future progression in the digital world
A disability-inclusive society is one where every person (regardless of ability) can thrive, contribute, and participate fully. Technology has the immense power to drive this progress, but only if we commit to designing it inclusively.
On International Day of Persons With Disabilities, let’s work together to build a world where innovation works for everyone. A world where digital inclusion fuels social inclusion and accessibility is not viewed as a feature, but as a fundamental human right. Advancing social progress means ensuring that no one is left behind, online or offline.
If you need help with building inclusion at the centre of your organisation, we have a wide range of services that can assist.
