How can someone with a disability use the internet?

Digital Accessibility means that a digital product such as a website is accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.

To make a digital product accessible you must design and develop in such a way that everyone can use the product, including people with:

• Visual disabilities;
• Hearing disabilities;
• Cognitive disabilities;
• Speech disabilities;
• Mobility disabilities;
• and Neural disabilities.

An estimated 1.3 billion people around the world experience significant disability according to the WHO. A significant part of the 1.3 billion people has a type of disability that adds a barrier to using digital products and services.

With the help of assistive technologies and special care by product designers, people with disabilities can fully use and enjoy digital products.

As digitalization continues to advance at a rapid pace, more and more services and activities are moving online. This means that it's increasingly important to ensure that digital products and services are accessible to everyone.

In many countries, anti-discrimination laws and acts are enforced to ensure that people with disabilities are not discriminated against and have equal opportunities.

This includes digital products which makes it important for every organization to investigate what their responsibility is when it comes to digital accessibility.

With over 1 billion people worldwide having both visible and invisible disabilities, it's crucial not to ignore this significant group of people. By not prioritizing digital accessibility, organizations may miss out on potential customers and revenue.

In addition, ensuring digital accessibility can also prevent legal issues, as it may be a legal requirement. To learn more about which accessibility laws apply to your organization, check out our digital map highlighting accessibility laws around the world.